ovarian function due

to diminished fertility.

Menopause is the transition period

in a woman's life when the ovaries

 gradually stop egg production.

As a result the body produces

less estrogen and

very little progesterone,

 and menstruation becomes

less frequent,

eventually stopping

 altogether.

The menopause transition is

the gradual close of

a women's reproductive life

as egg production by

the ovaries becomes depleted.

The physiological changes

and symptoms that many

women experience during

the menopausal transition

result from erratic or

diminished hormone production.

These hormonal changes are often

grouped/categorized into

three phases: peri-menopause,

menopause and postmenopause.

Peri-menopause is

the 3 to 5 year

period prior to menopause

during which estrogen

levels begin to drop.

The Signs and Symptoms of the Menopause Transition

The are three primary estrogenic compounds, estradiol, estriol and estrone which coincide with the phases of a woman's life. Estradiol is the predominate estrogen produced during a woman's reproductive years. Estriol reaches its highest level during pregnancy and estrone is the predominant estrogen after menopause. The menopausal transition is period during which there is a gradual shift from estradiol to estrone as being the more dominate estrogenic compound. For most women this transition starts to occurs around age 45 (peri-menopause) and is noted by changes in the menstrual cycle and symptoms listed below.

Estrogen receptors are similar to open windows which allow the hormone estrogen to flow to specific organs and tissues. If a tissue/organ does not have a specific estrogen receptor, the hormone estrogen will not affect that particular tissue/organ.

Estrogen receptors are located in the brain, breast, heart, blood vessels, uterus, vagina, bladder, liver, bones, skin and gastrointestinal tract. During the menopausal transition, the hormonal shift from estradiol to estrone effects a variety of physiological changes in these estrogen sensitive tissues, which may present as symptoms for many women.

If you are looking for a high quality non-pharmaceutical natural estrogen or progesterone cream I recommend the Natural Radiance products.  Natural Radiance® is a non-comedogenic cold processed liposome creme that is free of emulsifiers, isopropyl palmitates, glycerl stearate, octyl palmitate, stearic acid, DEA, triethanolarmine (TEA), dimethicone, cyclomethicone, PEG, alcohols, emulsifying wax, dyes, parabens, colors or mineral oil. I do not offer Natural Radiance creams however, you can visit Naturally Better.net

Peri-menopause Symptoms

Estrogen and progesterone counterbalance each other throughout the menstrual cycle, with one hormone decreasing while the other rises. Estrogen levels rise during the first half of the menstrual cycle. Progesterone levels rise during the second half of the cycle. Peri-menopausal the first hormonal change that occurs is a gradual decline in levels of progesterone, while estrogen levels remain normal or even increase. The overall decline in progesterone allows estrogen levels to go unopposed, without the usual counterbalance. The result is a relative excess of estrogen or estrogen dominance.

The following are symptoms of diminished progesterone and estrogen dominance. These symptoms tend to occur during peri-menopause while menstrual bleeding, although often irregular is still occurring.

Bloating/water retention, breast tenderness
Heavy menstrual bleeding
Long menstrual periods 
Menstrual cycles that are closer together 
Irritability, anxiety
Bilateral pounding headache, especially premenstrually
Premenstrual hot flashes
Weight gain particularly around abdomen and hips
Decreased sex drive, cold hands and feet

Why is menstrual blood sometimes dark brown,
what causes menstrual clots . .  menstrual cramps . . .

for really helpful answers and less worries

click here

Reducing Symptoms,

Naturally

For many women

diminished estrogen is associated
with hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia,

and heart palpitations.

A good quality non-prescription bio-identical

estrogen or progesterone cream is

effective for mild/moderate symptoms.

Progesterone cream is

effective during perimenopause

(still have a menstrual period).

For a very high quality non-prescription

natural estrogen (estriol) or progesterone cream

I recommend Natural Radiance Creams

Prescription bio-identical hormone replacement 

is effective for the management of more intense

symptoms.

Keep in mind, many women are able to

significantly ease hot flashes with dietary

and herbal supplements such as

isoflavones, flaxseed and pycnogenol.

For an overview click here