Peri Menopause Overview
During the time referred to as peri-menopause, which for you and many women may last as long as 5 or even 10 years, the menstrual cycle is likely to become less predictable. You may notice changes as early as your late 30s. Normally this shift occurs, around your early 40s.
More frequent or heavier bleeding may also be experienced during the menopausal years. This occurs when estrogen continues to stimulate the uterine lining, while production of the progesterone needed to counteract its growth declines. Thus, when the lining is shed, the flow is much heavier than usual.
Declining ovulation may also shorten the menstrual cycle; so that periods come so close together that you bleed throughout the month. A 7 to 10 day menstrual period is not uncommon and bleeding between periods may also occur.
If menstruation doesn't occur for 6 months to a year, menopause probably has occurred.
Any unusual menstrual patterns should be evaluated by your doctor, to make sure they are truly due to changing hormone levels, rather than such conditions as fibroid tumors, polyps, uterine cancer, or cervical cancer.
Progesterone Cream and irregular Periods
As will be seen from the above irregular periods in the pre-menopause years are a result of fluctuating estrogen levels. Even though you are menstruating you may not be ovulating, or if you are ovulating you may not be having the full progesterone surge in the second half of the cycle.
- Even though you are still having periods, it is possible that you are not ovulating, or if you are ovulating that you are not having the full progesterone surge in the second half of your cycle.
- If there is insufficient progesterone at the end of your cycle, you will have signs of Estrogen Dominance.
- Because the decline of ovarian function occurs gradually, only 10 to 15 percent of women experience an abrupt cessation of menstruation.
- For most women the change is more gradual, with a steady decrease in both the amount and duration of menstrual flow, until it eventually ceases to occur.
- Irregular and longer cycles occur as hormonal regulators become less reliable. As menopause nears, the periods become further apart and the flow becomes lighter.
More frequent or heavier bleeding may also be experienced during the menopausal years. This occurs when estrogen continues to stimulate the uterine lining, while production of the progesterone needed to counteract its growth declines. Thus, when the lining is shed, the flow is much heavier than usual.
Declining ovulation may also shorten the menstrual cycle; so that periods come so close together that you bleed throughout the month. A 7 to 10 day menstrual period is not uncommon and bleeding between periods may also occur.
If menstruation doesn't occur for 6 months to a year, menopause probably has occurred.
Any unusual menstrual patterns should be evaluated by your doctor, to make sure they are truly due to changing hormone levels, rather than such conditions as fibroid tumors, polyps, uterine cancer, or cervical cancer.
Progesterone Cream and irregular Periods
As will be seen from the above irregular periods in the pre-menopause years are a result of fluctuating estrogen levels. Even though you are menstruating you may not be ovulating, or if you are ovulating you may not be having the full progesterone surge in the second half of the cycle.
- You should start the cream on day seven of your cycle.or halfway to ovulation.
- Use the cream till your period starts or you reach day 27 then stop.
- If no period arrives start the cream again after seven days. Use the last day you used the progesterone as day one of your cycle.
- During peri-menopause,normally in your mid to late 40,s sometimes earler,the normal cream use is to start the cream on day 10-12 to day 28.
- Refer to above for irregular cycles, or use the cream from day 12 if you are still having regular cycles, but are peri-menopause.
- It may take 3-4 cycles to regulate your period.