Perimenopause is the transitional stage leading up to menopause, which officially begins 12 months after a woman's last menstrual period. On average, perimenopause starts between the ages of 45-55 and lasts about 4 years until menopause. However, some women start noticing changes sooner.
The key symptom of perimenopause is changes in your menstrual cycle. You may experience:
| Menstrual Changes | Other Common Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Shorter or longer periods | Hot flashes and night sweats |
| Heavier or lighter flow | Vaginal dryness |
| Missed periods | Changes in mood, like anxiety, irritability, or depression |
| Trouble sleeping | |
| Fatigue | |
| Brain fog or memory issues | |
| Weight gain |
These symptoms are caused by fluctuations in your hormones like estrogen and progesterone. During perimenopause, your ovaries start producing less of these hormones leading up to menopause when ovulation stops completely.
It's a natural part of aging. As women get older, their ovaries produce fewer viable eggs each month. The decline in estrogen and progesterone causes the symptoms of perimenopause.
Your doctor can diagnose perimenopause based on your symptoms, menstrual cycle changes, and by ruling out other medical conditions. There are also blood tests to measure your hormone levels.
| Treatments | Lifestyle Changes |
|---|---|
| Hormone therapy - Estrogen or progesterone pills, patches, gels, and creams can help relieve hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal changes | Regular exercise |
| Antidepressants for mood swings | Stress reduction techniques |
| Vaginal moisturizers and lubricants | Avoiding triggers like caffeine, alcohol, hot temperatures |
If you're struggling with perimenopause symptoms, consider making an appointment with the hormone experts at Renew Hormones. Their experienced physicians provide personalized hormone replacement therapy plans to help women find relief during this transitional time. Renew Hormones offers cutting edge bioidentical hormone treatments that are customized to your needs and goals. Contact them today to learn more about how their integrative approach can assist you during perimenopause and beyond.