Perimenopause is a medical term used to describe the transition phase to menopause – which is the woman’s last menstrual period, marking the end of reproductive life.
Read more: Find out what menopause is and understand its stages
The process is natural, but it may be directly linked to an imbalance of body mass, according to new research.
Published in the journal JCI Insight , the study revealed that this phase of a woman’s life may also contribute to another disease, obesity .
This is because, due to hormonal changes that cause a series of changes to happen in the woman’s body, perimenopause can also interfere with body composition.
These changes, according to the research, resulted in more adipose tissue and less lean mass – that is, more fat and less muscle.
Perimenopause and weight gain
This relationship is not yet fully understood, according to the study’s authors. But we’re going to talk a little bit about the effects it can have on women.
For example, perimenopause generally begins between the ages of 45 and 50, and its main symptoms are irregular menstruation, night sweat, irritability, urinary problems, hypertension and decreased libido (sexual pleasure).
In addition to hormonal changes and low metabolic rate resulting from menopause (which can influence weight gain), aging itself, dietary changes and abandonment of physical activities can favor weight gain.
Therefore, it is important that there is a follow-up focused on body changes and the needs of the woman’s body that approaches menopause.
Read more: Acupuncture can decrease menopausal symptoms, says study
During the perimenopause period, the woman’s body undergoes several changes.
Therefore, health care in general is essential.
