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Perimenopausal Hormonal Fluctuations

Meaning

Perimenopausal hormonal fluctuations describe the characteristic, often erratic, and unpredictable variations in the secretion and metabolism of ovarian hormones, primarily estrogen and progesterone, that mark the transitional phase leading up to menopause. These fluctuations are the direct cause of many common symptoms, including vasomotor instability, mood changes, and irregular menstrual cycles, as the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis begins to lose its rhythmic control. Clinically, managing this phase requires understanding the dynamic, non-linear nature of these endocrine shifts.