Perimenopause is a “transitional period” that occurs before Menopause but has similar symptoms. This can be a little confusing to understand the process, which is only understandable. We will dig deeper into the biological process to better understand the topic. 

Keep reading to learn about perimenopause, its signs and symptoms, and how to manage and treat it appropriately.

• Perimenopause can also affect skin elasticity, leading to dryness and increased sensitivity.
• Bone density may decrease during perimenopause, increasing the risk of osteoporosis later in life.
• Women with a history of severe PMS might experience intensified perimenopausal symptoms.
• Some women report experiencing “brain fog” or memory lapses as a perimenopause symptom.
• Perimenopause can begin earlier for smokers or women with certain medical conditions.
• Sleep disturbances during perimenopause are often linked to fluctuating cortisol levels.

Perimenopause, as mentioned above, is a transitional period in which your body transitions toward menopause. 

During this time, your ovaries produce fewer hormones which cause your menstrual cycle to become irregular. Also, your body moves towards the end of your reproductive years and begins your menopause.

Perimenopause takes place in your mid-30s or mid-50s and can last for a short while or for a long time, depending on your genetics and overall health. 

The word perimenopause means the time during which your menstrual cycles are not predictable. During this time, women go through physical and psychological changes. 

Since your fertility starts to decline, your body undergoes a surge of hormones and hormonal imbalance that can get very tough for women to deal with. 

Read on below to learn how to treat perimenopausal symptoms and learn more about them. 

Well, perimenopause is a transitional period that results in menopause. Menopause means your menstrual cycle has completely ended. Menopause occurs when your periods have stopped for 12 months, and there is no sign of them.

Perimenopause occurs when your ovaries produce less estrogen and work their way toward stopping the release of eggs. Ultimately, your body transitions into Menopause, and your body loses its ability to reproduce and conceive. 

This is a natural process and part of every woman’s reproductive and menstrual cycle. 

Perimenopause starts around eight to ten years before Menopause occurs, and it usually begins when women hit their mid-40s. 

Some procedures and medical issues can lead to early Menopause, and completing Menopause before the age of forty is known as “premature menopause.”

The average duration of perimenopause is usually four years, but it can vary from woman to woman. However, if you do not get your periods for more than a year, you are no longer in perimenopause; instead, your body has entered Menopause.

If you are in your late 30s, you may have noticed a change in your menstrual cycle and some new symptoms every time you get your periods. These symptoms may show that you are experiencing perimenopause; however, if you are still unsure, let us help you out. 

The five common perimenopause symptoms are mentioned below, so keep on reading and learn all about them.

Some of the most common perimenopause symptoms include mood swings, such as depression, quick irritability, and severe anxiety. These symptoms become worse as one approaches Menopause.

Another common perimenopause symptom is that women experience hot flashes during the menopausal transition. Some women have hot flashes for the rest of their lives, which can be severe or mild.

Hot flashes can also be long-lasting or fleeting and are characterized as a sudden feeling of heat or warmth from inside your body. Women also experience night chills and sweat along with this symptom.

Perimenopause also causes hormonal imbalance, which alters the estrogen and progesterone levels and results in irregular periods. Sometimes, the periods are unusually heavy or very light. Women sometimes skip their periods for a few months before getting them again.

Perimenopause also leads to vaginal dryness, which can be the reason for another perimenopausal symptom: painful intercourse. Women experience a decline in their sex drive as their hormone level also decreases.

While this symptom is often related to pregnancy or the onset of a period, it is also a symptom of perimenopause. If you notice your breasts being swollen, it can cause hormonal changes during the menopausal periods.

Perimenopause is a natural cycle every woman goes through, so there is no treatment to stop it. However, you can use prescription or over-the-counter medicines to ease your symptoms. 

Suppose your perimenopause is getting difficult for you to handle. In that case, you can visit a doctor, and they may provide you with the following treatment plans to lessen the symptoms:

These medications help in dealing with severe depression, anxiety, or mood swings.

This therapy treatment helps in making your estrogen levels stable. Estrogen therapy uses a patch, cream, gel, or even a pill.

Such pills help stabilize the hormones in your body and relieve perimenopausal symptoms.

There are many over-the-counter creams and prescription ointments which can deal with vaginal dryness. Opting for this treatment will allow you to decrease pain during intercourse.

It is a seizure medicine that helps monitor hot flashes and keeps night sweats and chills at bay. 

Before your doctor prescribes you this treatment, they will let you know the benefits and risks it has and recommend the best plan based on your condition.

Perimenopause is unavoidable. While it can be very stressful for a woman to go through it, there are ways to manage it. With the above tips, you can keep your symptoms in control and keep yourself vibrant, youthful, and young.