Perimenopause is the transition period leading up to menopause, when a woman's body begins to make changes as it prepares to stop menstruating. This transitional time usually begins during a woman's 40s, but can start earlier or later. Some key things to know about perimenopause:
- It marks the transition toward the end of a woman's reproductive years. During perimenopause, menstrual cycles become less predictable as ovulation becomes irregular and hormone levels fluctuate.
- Common symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, sleep problems, vaginal dryness, mood changes, and irregular periods. Symptoms vary widely among women - some struggle while others barely notice changes.
- It typically lasts 4-8 years but can take less or more time. There's no reliable way to predict exactly how long it will last.
- Perimenopause ends when a woman has gone 12 months without her period. At this point, she has reached menopause.
- Estrogen - This hormone drops significantly during perimenopause. Lower estrogen relates to symptoms like hot flashes, trouble sleeping, vaginal dryness, and emotional changes.
- Progesterone - This also declines as ovulation becomes irregular. Lower progesterone can cause symptoms like anxiety, sleep disorders, and changes in menstrual flow.
- Lifestyle remedies like stress management, regular exercise, and a healthy, balanced diet can help
- Hormone therapy with estrogen and/or progesterone can be very effective
- Certain antidepressants or anti-seizure medications may help if hormones alone don't adequately relieve symptoms
- Vaginal estrogen creams can improve vaginal dryness and discomfort