Perimenopause lasts for a year, a few years at most. The first menstrual disorders in women between 35 and 45 years of age are regarded as the beginning. The amount and duration of menstrual bleeding changes, metabolism slows down, and it happens that we gain weight. We struggle with hot flashes, gloomy mood, irritability, sleep disorders, urinary tract infections or headaches and joint pains. The end of perimenopause is defined as one year after the last menstrual period.
Every third of us goes through this period of changes in the body without troublesome ailments, but most will struggle with unpleasant ailments.
Second youth – perimenopause
Hormonal disorders dictate changes in our behavior and functioning of the body, and the dilemmas experienced at this time sometimes bring associations with puberty, which is why perimenopause is sometimes referred to as the second youth. The fact that menopause puts an end to female fertility does not mean that our sex life is coming to an end. On the contrary, since the children are already raised, we gain a new chance to discover intimacy with a partner. Accepting the changes taking place in our body will allow us to go through menopause more freely, for which we gain valuable time with the first menstrual disorders. During perimenopause, the risk of polyps, uterine fibroids increases, and also diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, or osteoporosis resulting from overweight. We should undergo regular mammography, pap smear, lipid profile, sugar and blood pressure tests. An optimally conducted diet will allow you to take care of your well-being despite the decreasing levels of estrogen and progesterone.
- Wholegrain bread and pasta – they will provide valuable dietary fibre, stabilize glucose and prevent the accumulation of unnecessary kilograms.
- Eat small amounts of meat, but high-quality and fatty fish, which are rich in protein and Omega-3 fatty acids, responsible for the proper level of cholesterol, as well as the prevention of inflammation. It is good when our plate includes herring, salmon and tuna, or linseed or rapeseed oil, and for a snack we eat nuts, seeds or linseed. The lack of protein resulting from the reduction in the amount of meat consumed per week can easily be supplemented with chickpeas, lentils, beans or soybeans.
- Fitoestrogeny – chemical compounds present in plants (mainly in soybeans and legumes), which soothe hot flashes, prevent osteoporosis, and improve bone mineral density.
- Colorful vegetables and fruits they are full of valuable antioxidants in the form of vitamins A, C and E. Antioxidants allow you to keep the skin looking young for longer, and also protect us against the development of cancer, so we should not regret them.