Hot Flashes? Night Sweats? Trouble Sleeping? All of these symptoms may be signs that your hormone levels are changing and could be signs of menopause and perimenopause.

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Menopause is actually the end of the menstrual cycle. Skipping 12 periods officially confirms menopause. In addition there is a significant decline in ovarian functioning. Ovarian function continues to subside as certain landmark events take place. Ovulation ceases and with it the production and secretion of progesterone.  However, what about the signs and symptoms that women experience in the months and years leading up to menopause?

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Perimenopause is the interval between regular ovarian menstrual cycles and the cessation of ovarian function. The hormones of a woman’s menstrual cycle begin to shift out of balance during the premenopausal (perimenopausal) years and become more erratic during the following years. The years before periods stop forever are called perimenopause. Many women are surprised to learn that the perimenopausal phase can last as long as ten years. During this time, some periods may be heavier or lighter than others. Cycles begin to be irregular or to be skipped completely in some months.

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Symptoms of menopause and peri-menopause:

* Hot flashes
* Night sweats
* Insomnia
* Vaginal dryness and thinning of the vaginal area
* Decreased libido (sex drive)
* Anxiety, Anger, Mood Swings
* Forgetfulness or “fuzzy brain” syndrome
* Depression, feelings of despair
* Vaginal and bladder infections
* Short-term memory loss
* Joint and muscle pain
* Rapid skin aging & Loss of tone in breasts
* Fatigue and heart palpitations
* Shorter or longer menstrual cycles
* Change of menstrual flow

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Dr. John Lee M.D. was the pioneer in advocating natural progesterone for women in perimenopause and menopause. He has written several books on the subject of “Estrogen Dominance” which occurs when your progesterone level falls as your body’s hormonal balance changes.

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Estrogen Dominance

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What is Estrogen Dominance?

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John R. Lee, M.D., has coined a phrase he calls Estrogen Dominance. The signs and symptoms of estrogen dominance are (and, by the way you can have one or many of these): water retention, breast swelling, PMS mood swings, depression, loss of libido, heavy or irregular menses, weight gain and craving for sweets, and fat deposits on hips and thighs.

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Dr. Lee states that a sign of estrogen dominance is weight gain caused by both water retention and fat deposition at hips and thighs. This “pear shape” dilemma is a common complaint and may be due to synthetic estrogen (prescribed alone) and also the rapid drop in progesterone level that accompanies menopause.

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What Should You Do if You Have Estrogen Dominance?

According to Dr. Lee, “supplementation with Natural Progesterone will alleviate most of these symptoms by increasing your body’s natural hormone balance. No matter how valuable estrogen is, when unopposed by progesterone, it is not something to be wholly desired in the female body. Many of estrogen’s undesirable side effects are blocked by progesterone.”

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According to Dr. Lee, “supplementation with Natural Progesterone will alleviate most of these symptoms by increasing your body’s natural hormone balance. No matter how valuable estrogen is, when unopposed by progesterone, it is not something to be wholly desired in the female body. Many of estrogen’s undesirable side effects are blocked by progesterone.”

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If you suspect that you are in perimenopause or have estrogen dominance the best way to find out is by having your hormones tested using a Saliva Test.

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We have gotten a lot of good feedback on Nature’s Precise Cream and Essential Support Treatment for symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. If your symptoms include vaginal dryness you may want to try Essential Moisture Plus which has also gotten a lot of good reviews.