What is perimenopause?
Perimenopause refers to the time leading up to menopause, when a woman's body begins transitioning to permanent infertility. It typically begins for women in their late 30s or early 40s. Key changes during perimenopause include:
- Irregular periods - Menstrual cycles may lengthen or shorten, periods may become lighter or heavier, and women may begin skipping periods altogether. This is primarily due to changes in hormone levels.
- Hot flashes - Sudden feelings of intense warmth in the upper body, sometimes followed by profuse sweating and flushing of the skin. These uncomfortable symptoms result from decreasing estrogen.
- Sleep disturbances - Many women experience insomnia, night sweats, and overall poorer sleep quality during perimenopause. This also ties to hormonal fluctuations.
- Emotional changes - Mood swings, anxiety, irritability, and depression may develop or worsen in the peri- and menopausal transition. Some women report feeling less able to cope with stress.
- Vaginal dryness - Estrogen keeps vaginal tissues supple, so declining levels lead to irritation, dryness, pain, and discomfort during sex.
- Loss of bone density - Lower estrogen accelerates bone loss, increasing risks for osteoporosis and fractures later in life. Building strong bones with weight-bearing exercise, vitamin D, and possible bone medications is crucial.
Managing perimenopausal symptoms starts with healthy habits like regular exercise, stress reduction, not smoking, limiting alcohol, and eating a high-nutrient diet. Many women also find relief through hormone therapy to stabilize hormones, such as low-dose birth control pills or prescription estrogen/progestin patches, gels, sprays, or compounds customized by clinics like Balance Hormone Institute. Their caring providers offer cutting-edge hormone testing to safely optimize women's hormone levels. Reach out today for a consultation!