Perimenopause Unveiled: Signs Symptoms and Treatments

Perimenopause, often referred to as menopause transition, is a term that frequently comes up in consideration when we talk about women’s health, but what does it mean? It’s a phase that 80–90% of women come across once in their lifetime.

Here, we will discuss perimenopause, at what age it occurs, its symptoms, and how to treat it, so let’s dive in.

What is perimenopause?

Before diving into what perimenopause is, it’s essential to understand what menopause is. Menopause is a point when a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months, which, in layman’s language, means periods have ended.

So, perimenopause, in general, implies menopause, i.e., a transitional period that leads to menopause. Therefore, the duration carried out until the periods have stopped is considered perimenopause.

Additionally, there is no fixed age for perimenopause; it happens at a different time for each woman. It usually begins in a woman’s 40s, but it can start as early as her mid-30s or as late as her 50s. The duration of perimenopause also varies, but it generally lasts between four and eight years.

Causes of Perimenopause

As women grow older, their ovaries produce less estrogen, eventually leading them to stop producing eggs entirely. This transition of the ovaries with age causes perimenopause to happen. Although it’s possible to become pregnant during perimenopause,

Signs and Symptoms of Perimenopause

Symptoms and signs vary from one woman to another. Still, if you are one heading to perimenopause, you’ll experience at least one of the following symptoms discussed below:

⦁IRREGULAR PERIODS

It’s one of the earliest signs that one can come across. The menstrual cycle becomes irregular, periods may become shorter or longer, and even the flow can be lighter or heavier because our ovulation process becomes unpredictable.

⦁HOT FLASHES

A hot flash in a woman is a sudden warmth in the upper body, primarily intense over the face, neck, and chest. One experiencing it is often diagnosed with perimenopause. These flashes can remain in the body for a few seconds or a minute.

⦁Night Sweats

Like a hot flash, night sweats are experienced at night and lead to awakening drenched in sweat. This symptom also happens to be an early symptom of perimenopause.

⦁MOOD SWINGS

Mood swings are common for every woman dealing with them before or after the menstrual period. So, during perimenopause, mood swings, irritability, depression, and anxiety are common.

⦁Sleep Problems

Night sweats make it familiar for one to have difficulty falling or staying asleep.

⦁VAGINAL DRYNESS

Decreased estrogen levels lead to a loss of vaginal elasticity and lubrication, therefore causing vaginal dryness. This also creates discomfort during sexual intercourse, causing it to be more painful.

⦁CHANGES IN SEXUAL DESIRES

Sexual arousal and desires may change during perimenopause. Some women may experience less desire for sexual intimacy, while others may not experience any change.

⦁URINARY PROBLEMS

Lower estrogen levels make the urinary tract more vulnerable to infections. Other urinary problems become prominent, like increased frequency or urgency to urinate.

⦁BONE LOSS

Hormonal changes caused during perimenopause increase the risk of bone loss or osteoporosis.

⦁Memory Issues

Due to hormonal changes and mood swings, women often notice problems with concentration and memory.

Treatment of Perimenopause

There is no particular, defined treatment for perimenopause. It’s a natural process that many women go through. The only cure to end this is menopause; when a woman finally reaches that point, all the issues end there. However, there are specific treatments or tips that one can follow to reduce the symptoms:

⦁HEALTHY DIET

Diet is always the solution to all our health problems, irrespective of where the problem is. Maintaining a well-balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, calcium, vitamin D, and lean proteins can effectively help manage the symptoms of perimenopause.

⦁Regular Exercise

Modern lifestyles have reduced our physical activities compared to early lifestyles, so it is vital to incorporate regular exercise into our daily routines to help maintain a healthy weight, improve mood, and strengthen our bones.

⦁Stress management

During perimenopause, women often experience stress. Therefore, yoga, meditation, and deep-breathing exercises can reduce stress and improve overall well-being.

⦁STAY HYDRATED

Staying hydrated all day can help manage symptoms like bloating and dryness.

⦁Limit caffeine and alcohol.

Caffeine and alcohol can increase hot flashes and disrupt sleep, so it’s wise to consume them in moderation.

⦁BIRTH CONTROL PILLS

In some cases, doctors prescribe taking birth control pills to balance hormonal levels.

⦁Antidepressants

Doctors also prescribe antidepressants to relieve mood swings and increase the risk of depression.

When should I see a doctor?

It’s not something that needs a healthcare provider, but if it bothers your day-to-day activities, you should reach out and discuss it with your gynaecologist. Other symptoms need instant care as well.

⦁ Having blood clots in the menstrual discharge.
⦁ Experiencing spotting between periods.
⦁ After sexual intercourse, I experienced vaginal bleeding.
⦁ Periods that occur very close together.
⦁ Any changes in the menstrual cycle after a year of no periods.

Discussion: Handling the Perimenopause with Confidence

Perimenopause is a natural phenomenon in a woman’s life. However, it comes with many issues and symptoms, though it needs to occur to reach menopause. One can reduce symptoms by taking proper precautions in diet, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, considering medical support, and staying informed of changes. It’s also equally important to understand what to expect and how to manage these changes to make this duration more manageable.

Remember, every woman’s experience of perimenopause is different and unique. What plays a vital role in this journey or duration is to have a support system, maybe through friends, family, or your gynaecologist, to discuss symptoms and strategies for coping. Embracing this change with knowledge and preparation can lead to a smoother transition into the next stage of life.

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