Are you struggling with the hormonal changes associated with perimenopause? Hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, mood shifts, depression, and challenges with adjusting to all the changes are just some of the things you might be experiencing. We’re here to tell you that you’re not alone. With the right information, you can start feeling better sooner! Here, we’ll discuss what perimenopause is and what you can do to manage the symptoms.
What is perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the transition to the menopausal state. It occurs when a woman’s menstrual cycles begin to change, signalling that her body is moving toward menopause.
Perimenopause usually takes place between ages 35 and 55 and lasts for about 4 years before you reach menopause when you stop having periods permanently. During this time, your body starts making less estrogen and progesterone, two hormones that are needed for regular monthly menstrual cycles (ovulation). Perimenopause doesn’t mean that you’re no longer fertile, but it does mean that it’s harder for you to get pregnant than it was before.
Perimenopause isn’t a disease or condition — it’s a natural part of being a woman!
What are the symptoms of perimenopause?
Most women will have some symptoms of perimenopause, but they don’t all experience the same ones. You may have mild symptoms or none at all, while others may have severe ones that interfere with daily life.
The main symptoms of perimenopause are:
Mood swings and irritability. Hormonal changes during perimenopause can affect your mood, making you feel sad or anxious without an obvious cause — a condition known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). The exact cause isn’t known, but it’s thought to be related to falling levels of estrogen that cause changes in brain chemicals related to mood regulation.
Hot flashes. Many women experience hot flashes as they approach menopause, especially during the early stages of perimenopause. The good news is that hot flashes usually decrease over time. In fact, by the time you reach menopause, about 80 percent of women stop having hot flashes.
Night sweats. Night sweats are another common symptom of perimenopause and often occur in conjunction with hot flashes. Night sweats are also known as “hot flushes” or “hot sweats.” They’re characterized by a sudden feeling of heat, followed by profuse sweating and sometimes chills or shivering. Night sweats typically occur during sleep but can also happen during the day when you’re relaxing or exercising.
Vaginal dryness and painful intercourse (dyspareunia). Vaginal dryness and painful intercourse may occur because estrogen levels are low during perimenopause — this can make sex uncomfortable for some women. If vaginal dryness is severe, it can cause pain during intercourse or even make it impossible to have sex at all until treatment is received.
Menstrual changes. Your period may become heavier and last longer than usual during perimenopause — up to seven days instead of five — because of changes in hormone levels. You may also find that your flow is heavier right before your period starts and lighter after that first day or two of bleeding ends (because estrogen levels are higher). And some women notice that their periods come less often than they used to — every three months instead of every month.
During perimenopause, some women have no symptoms at all. Others may have very mild symptoms that go away on their own or can be managed with medications. If you’re experiencing symptoms that are affecting your quality of life, talk to your healthcare provider about treatment options.
What can you do to manage perimenopause symptoms?
If you are experiencing perimenopause symptoms, there are several things you can do to manage them:
Keep track of your symptoms
First things first. If you’re experiencing any symptoms associated with perimenopause, see a doctor who specializes in women’s health (ob-gyn). They will be able to determine whether you are actually going through perimenopause or not, which will help them recommend treatment options.
Eat a healthy diet
A healthy diet plays an important role in managing perimenopausal symptoms because it helps regulate hormone levels naturally without medication side effects. Foods rich in calcium, magnesium, and potassium all help balance hormone levels naturally so they’re less likely to fluctuate wildly during this time in your life — which could mean fewer hot flashes.
Get plenty of exercise each week
Exercise is one of the best ways to manage perimenopausal symptoms. It helps relieve stress and anxiety, which are common during this time of life. It also helps control weight gain during perimenopause and menopause, which can help prevent or reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Exercise has other benefits as well — it can improve your mood, boost self-esteem, and even make it easier to sleep at night!
Stay connected
Stay connected with friends and family members so you’ll have someone to talk to about how you’re feeling when your emotions start running high. Also, consider joining a women’s group or volunteering at an organization where you’ll meet other women going through similar life experiences.
Changes in hormone levels can make you feel completely out of sorts, as well as cause unwanted physical symptoms that aren’t always easy to manage. The good news is that there are things you can do to manage them. By taking some preventative action and following some basic lifestyle guidelines, you may discover that you’re able to lead a comfortable and healthy life during perimenopause.
Perimenopause is a part of life, but you don’t have to let it take over your life. If you are struggling with the hormonal changes associated with perimenopause, reach out to My Rest.