What Are The Signs of Perimenopause
You’re probably familiar with the term menopause, which is when you have had no menstrual periods for 12 months. But do you know what to expect in perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the time leading up to your periods finishing, when the levels of estrogen and progesterone in your body are falling. It can last from a few months up to 10 years and your hormone levels will fluctuate throughout that time.
There are a wide range of symptoms that are associated with the perimenopause, and there is a chance that you may experience the more unusual symptoms of menopause. But here are some of most common symptoms of perimenopause and you will probably experience one or more of these:
Menstrual Changes
As your estrogen levels fall, your menstrual cycle will probably change. Your cycle could get shorter or longer, your period might last longer or start to shorten, and you could see changes to your menstrual flow.
If you’re unsure whether your period changes are related to the perimenopause or you have any unusual mid-cycle spotting during perimenopause, it’s a good idea to get that checked out.
Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
These are one of the classic symptoms of perimenopause - up to 50% of women will experience hot flashes. Each one can last 5-10 minutes and while some women may only feel a warm flush, others will be drenched with sweat. They often happen at night as well as during the day, and could continue for a year or two after your final period.
Weight Gain
Yes, if you’re over 40 and gaining weight, perimenopause may be to blame. It’s caused by a number of factors including changing hormone levels, decreased muscle mass and increased insulin resistance. Fat storage also shifts from the hips and thighs to the abdomen at this stage of life, which raises your risk of conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
Mood Swings
Remember how moody you were during the hormonal rollercoaster of your teenage years? Well, your mood can be just as troublesome when you’re at the other end of your menstruating years. Mood swings could be due to changing hormones, but they may also be a knock on effect of poor sleep caused by night sweats. Or they could just be due to the fact that this stage of life is pretty stressful!
Vaginal Dryness
Falling estrogen levels can cause you to have less lubrication and elasticity in your vaginal tissues, especially in the later years of perimenopause. This can make sex uncomfortable and make vaginal infections more likely. Lubricants can help to relieve the discomfort and your doctor may be able to prescribe hormonal treatments to help as well. If sex becomes painful rather than uncomfortable, or if you have any bleeding after intercourse, do get it checked out.
For women in midlife, symptoms like migraines, hair loss, anxiety and perimenopause are often linked. The symptoms of perimenopause aren’t pleasant, but the good news is that for most women, they go away once you’ve reached menopause.
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