Dr. Steven R. Goldstein MD is one of the best obgyn in NYC and the author of over 6 books on gynecology, actively serves on the editorial board of more than 6 scientific journals, is a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at New York University School of Medicine and a much sought after lecturer.
Patients who see Dr Goldstein sometimes
have Perimenopause. This is the transition period to menopause and can begin 4
to 7 years before menopause. Some women in their late 30’s and forties may
already be experiencing symptoms. During this perimenopause stage, “irregular”
is what is considered regular in terms of menstrual periods. Shorter, longer,
lighter, heavier, the character of a woman’s period can change so much during
perimenopause, and at times this change can be subtle.
Why does this matter? It does because cycles
when women do not ovulate are characterized by variable amounts of estrogen
production without progesterone to balance it. This “imbalance” isn’t dangerous
(although it can be in the case of unopposed estrogen for very long periods of
time, which is unusual), but it is the basis of a host of symptoms that appear
to be totally unrelated to the woman’s menstrual cycle - occasional hot
flashes, sleep problems, vaginal dryness, free floating anxiety, memory lapses
and “foggy memory”, inability to concentrate, feeling depressed at times and so
on.
