The cause of perimenopause is the decreasingly perfect function between the ovaries and brain. The ovaries from age 15 - 40 (+/- a few years) work in concert with the hypothalamus and pituitary (the HPO axis, we say), and together they create a quite complicated pattern of hormone production from the ovary and usually this results in cyclic ovulation. As the ovary ages, it cannot respond as readily and perfectly, and the ovarian production of estrogen and progesterone is no longer a nicely synchronous system but a more haphazard and chaotic scene. Estrogen and progesterone levels are fluctuating more (and not always decreasing but sometimes higher than normally seen, especially for estrogen), periods become more erratic and other symptoms arise, like night sweats and mood disruption, for example. This occurs until menopause, and ovaries are no longer a source of estrogen or progesterone. While we can't 'normalize' the perimenopausal ovary or restore it to it's younger self, it doesn't mean there aren't treatment options that can be helpful for women to navigate this season. Those treatment options may be hormonal, non-hormonal, or lifestyle.
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The cause of perimenopause is the decreasingly perfect function between the ovaries and brain. The ovaries from age 15 - 40 (+/- a few years) work in concert with the hypothalamus and pituitary (the HPO axis, we say), and together they create a quite complicated pattern of hormone production from the ovary and usually this results in cyclic ovulation. As the ovary ages, it cannot respond as readily and perfectly, and the ovarian production of estrogen and progesterone is no longer a nicely synchronous system but a more haphazard and chaotic scene. Estrogen and progesterone levels are fluctuating more (and not always decreasing but sometimes higher than normally seen, especially for estrogen), periods become more erratic and other symptoms arise, like night sweats and mood disruption, for example. This occurs until menopause, and ovaries are no longer a source of estrogen or progesterone. While we can't 'normalize' the perimenopausal ovary or restore it to it's younger self, it doesn't mean there aren't treatment options that can be helpful for women to navigate this season. Those treatment options may be hormonal, non-hormonal, or lifestyle.
May 8, 2013 - 10:10amThis Comment
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