What are the characteristics of perimenopausal syndrome

Menopause can be said to be an important stage in a woman's life. If this stage is not passed well, many problems may be left behind, or even the root of the disease may be laid. Most women will experience some discomfort symptoms during menopause, and their menstruation will also change. In fact, this is perimenopausal syndrome. Once related symptoms are found, attention should be paid. So, what are the characteristics of perimenopausal syndrome?

1. Menstrual changes

Changes in the menstrual cycle are the earliest clinical symptoms of perimenopause and are divided into three types:

(1) The menstrual cycle becomes longer, the menstrual volume decreases, and finally menopause occurs.

(2) Irregular menstrual cycle, prolonged menstrual period, increased menstrual flow, even heavy bleeding or continuous bleeding, which then gradually decreases and stops.

(3) Sudden cessation of menstruation is less common. Because the ovaries do not ovulate, estrogen levels fluctuate, making endometrial cancer more likely to occur. For patients with abnormal bleeding, a diagnostic curettage should be performed to rule out malignant transformation.

2. Vasomotor symptoms

The clinical manifestations are hot flashes and sweating, which are manifestations of unstable vasomotor function and the most prominent characteristic symptoms of perimenopausal syndrome. Hot flashes start in the chest, move to the head and neck, and then spread throughout the body. In a few women, hot flashes are only confined to the head, neck, and breasts. Patients experience burning sensation and redness of the skin in the area of ​​the flush, followed by explosive sweating. The duration varies from a few seconds to several minutes, and the frequency of attacks ranges from several times to 30 to 50 times a day. It is easily triggered at night or under stress. This vascular instability can last for 1 year, sometimes up to 5 years or longer.

3. Causes of perimenopause

(1) Neurotransmitters

Relevant neuroendocrine studies have shown that hypothalamic neurotransmitters such as opioid peptides (EOP), epinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) are significantly correlated with the occurrence of hot flashes. Serotonin (5-HT) has regulatory functions on endocrine, cardiovascular, emotional and sexual life. It has been reported that autonomic dysfunction in patients with perimenopausal syndrome is associated with a significant decrease in blood 5-HT. Animal experiments further demonstrated that the 5-HT level in the hypothalamus was significantly reduced after oophorectomy, and this could be significantly reversed after the use of estrogen. Therefore, it is believed that the functional disorder symptoms manifested by perimenopausal syndrome may be related to the decrease in 5-HT with age. Studies have found that the levels of beta-endorphin (β-EP) and its antibodies in the blood of postmenopausal women are significantly lower than those in women of the reproductive period. The decrease in β-EP antibodies indicates that the immune system's function in regulating neuroendocrine function is disrupted, resulting in various neuropsychiatric symptoms.

(2) Genetic factors

The twin sisters' perimenopausal syndrome started at exactly the same time, and their symptoms and duration were also very similar. Individual personality traits, neurological type, cultural level, occupation, social relationships, family background, etc. are related to the onset and severity of perimenopausal syndrome. This suggests that the occurrence of this disease may be related to higher nervous activity.