Info about Pms

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Perimenopause, Menopause and Yoga

Within the next twenty years, upwards of 40 million American women will enter menopause. Menopause can occur between the ages of thirty-five and sixty. The approximate age of menopause hovers around the ages of fifty to fifty-five. Prior to menopause, women experience perimenopause. This is not the same as menopause; it is premenstrual tension from delayed menses. In perimenopause, the menstrual cycle is erratic. The shifting levels of estrogen and progesterone, both mood-altering hormones, frequently result in a host of uncomfortable emotional and physical changes. Perimenopause, like menopause, can trigger:


• Anxiety
• Manic mood swings
• Muscle aches and joint aches
• Stiffness
• Erratic sleep patterns
Menopause is the secession of a woman's menstrual cycle, the end of her reproductive cycle. Some common complaints of menopause are:
• Vaginal dryness
• Hot flashes
• Urinary problems
• Mood swings
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Disturbances in sleep patterns


Researchers have begun to recognize that ancient disciplines, such as yoga and meditation, are valuable assets during these passages. In our society, many women fear and loathe the onset of menopause. It can become a time of great consternation instead of a meaningful rite of passage. Practicing yoga inspires a spiritual awakening and empowers a woman as it awakens the body to its strength, flexibility, and natural wisdom. Women who have practiced yoga prior to menopause find the onset of both perimenopause and menopause easier or report less discomfort associated with these cycles. Yoga can help combat the emotional and physical stress that is often a part of menopause.