Drink GEM Blog

What Is Perimenopause, and When Does Menopause Really Start?

11th February, 2011 - Posted by GEM_Author - No Comments

Menopause does not silently creep up on women. In fact, it gives women ample notice time—10 to 15 years, in fact.  This phase where women transition between their normal ovulation cycles and menopause is called perimenopause.  During this transitional period, women experience a combination of both premenstrual symptoms and menopausal symptoms (or none at all, for the lucky few) as their bodies prepare for the cessation of egg production and a rollercoaster ride of fluctuating estrogen levels.  However, unlike menopause, women going through perimenopause still experience ovulation cycles and have periods.  Menopause only officially begins when a woman’s entire ovulation cycle has ceased for exactly 12 months.

A telling sign of perimenopause is a disturbance in a woman’s ovulation cycle.  Changes in a woman’s period (changing cycle lengths or fluctuating bleeding levels) usually indicate that the woman is going through perimenopause.   Women will also begin experiencing menopausal symptoms. Hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood changes, loss of sleep and weight gain—all common menopausal symptoms will begin to occur more frequently as a woman’s hormone levels change.

There are several treatments for perimenopausal symptoms, such as taking oral contraceptive medications to try to regulate hormone levels.  These treatments only temporarily alleviate symptoms and, of course, will not help women dodge the inevitable menopause.  We recommend women who are going through perimenopause to naturally take care of their body by getting more rest, drinking more water, adding vitamin supplements to their diets, exercising, and avoiding cigarettes and alcohol.  Simple changes in your lifestyle now will help your body prepare for menopause later down the road.  And if perimenopausal symptoms become too irritating, try GEM® Keep It Cool®, a revolutionary wellness beverage that actually minimizes those dreadful menopausal symptoms.  The secret to GEM® Keep It Cool® is the synergistic combination of natural ingredients that are scientifically proven to minimize menopausal systems and restore your body’s natural balance.

For more information about GEM® and our product lines, please visit our website at drinkGEM.com.