Top 10 Perimenopause Symptoms

Menopause transition, which is also known as perimenopause, starts several years before menopause. Perimenopause refers to the transitional stage ‘before’ menopause when a woman’s body undergoes hormonal changes. It’s when the ovaries start gradually producing less estrogen. But it can begin as early as their 30s or even earlier, it typically begins in women in their 40s.

Menopause is when the ovaries stop producing eggs, following perimenopause. This decrease in estrogen accelerates throughout the latter one to two years of perimenopause. 

What Time Period Is Perimenopause?

Perimenopause lasts 4 years on average, although for some women, it may either last a few months or last for 10 years. When a woman has gone 12 months without having her period, the perimenopause is over according to WebMD.

How Do You Know If Perimenopause Has Started For You?

Many of the perimenopause symptoms are similar to menopausal symptoms. Many women experience one or several of them, which may consist of:

• Night sweats and hot flashes are both vasomotor symptoms (VMS)
• Breast sensitivity
• Premenstrual syndrome is worse than normal
• Reduced sex drive
• Fatigue
• Irregular cycles
• Vaginal dryness along with pain during intercourse
• Leaking of urine when sneezing or coughing
• Urge to urinate (an urgent need to urinate more frequently)
• Mood changes
• Difficulty sleeping

Top 10 Perimenopause Symptoms

1. Irregular menstrual periods: Perimenopause often causes changes in the menstrual cycle, leading to irregular periods, heavier or lighter flow, or skipped periods.

2. Hot flashes: Hot flashes are one of the most common symptoms, characterized by sudden onset of intense warmth and flushed skin. Many women suddenly will begin sweating in the upper body region.

3. Night sweats: Many women experience excessive sweating during sleep, leading to night sweats that can disrupt sleep patterns.

4. Vaginal and urinary changes: Decreased estrogen levels can cause vaginal dryness, thinning of vaginal tissues, and reduced elasticity. This might result in discomfort during intercourse. Some women may also experience urinary symptoms like increased frequency or urgency.

5. Sleep disturbances: Perimenopause can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, insomnia, or waking up frequently during the night. Sleep disturbances are common during this transitional phase.

6. Mood swings and irritability: Hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause can lead to mood swings, causing irritability, depression, anxiety, and other emotional changes.

7. Changes in body composition: Some women may experience weight gain, particularly around the abdomen, during perimenopause. This can be due to hormonal changes and a slower metabolism.

6. Vaginal dryness: Decreased estrogen levels can result in vaginal dryness, leading to discomfort or pain during sexual intercourse. Due to vaginal dryness, this discomfort may affect sexual satisfaction.

7. Decreased libido: Reduced estrogen levels can also affect libido or sexual desire in some women. These hormonal changes may lead to a decreased sex drive or changes in sexual desire.

8.  Fatigue: Many women experience increased fatigue and a lack of energy during perimenopause.

9. Weight gain: Hormonal imbalances can contribute to weight gain, particularly around the abdominal area.

10. Cognitive changes: Some women may experience memory lapses, difficulty concentrating, or mental fogginess during perimenopause.

It’s essential to note that perimenopause experiences can differ from person to person. If you’re experiencing troublesome symptoms or have concerns, it’s recommended to consult with a healthcare provider for guidance and support.

How To Know If The Perimenopausal Symptoms You Are Experiencing Is Normal?

Period irregularities are frequent and typical during perimenopause. Yet, there are additional disorders that might affect menstrual bleeding. See a physician to rule out any further causes if any of the following conditions apply to you:

• You have blood clots 
• Your periods are heavy
• Between periods, you spot.
• You experience post-sex spotting
• Your periods come more frequently
• Your periods are longer than usual by several days

Hormone imbalances, birth control pills, pregnancy, fibroids, issues with blood clotting, and, very rarely, cancer are among the causes of irregular bleeding.

How Is Perimenopause Identified?

Based on your symptoms, your doctor can frequently determine that you are in perimenopause. Although your hormone levels are shifting throughout perimenopause, a blood test to determine your hormone levels may still be helpful. It might be more beneficial to perform many blood tests at various intervals so that results can be compared.

Blood tests can also show if you are having varying levels of cholesterol. According to Mayo Clinic, your blood cholesterol levels could be negatively impacted by declining estrogen levels, including an increase in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, sometimes known as “bad” cholesterol, which raises your risk of heart disease. In addition, as women age, their levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or the “good” cholesterol, fall, which raises their risk of heart disease.

Can Perimenopausal Women Become Pregnant?

Yes. You can still get pregnant during the perimenopause stage despite a drop in fertility. You should use birth control until you reach menopause if you don’t want to get pregnant. Remember you have reached menopause when you have gone 12 months without having your period.

Due to a decline in fertility, getting pregnant for some women beyond their late 30s or early 40s might be challenging. There are treatments that can aid in getting pregnant if that is your goal or start now and choose to eat a healthy diet beginning in your mid-30s and exercise regularly. With a healthy lifestyle, you will be among the women that can and will get pregnant naturally.  

Are There Any Therapies to Reduce Perimenopause Symptoms?

After taking low-dose birth control pills for a short period of time, many women experience a reduction in hot flashes and night sweats, or VMS. 

The vaginal ring, progesterone injections, and the birth control skin patch are further methods that could reduce hot flashes. See your doctor to determine if birth control hormones are appropriate for you since some women shouldn’t use them.

Also, if you take actions that improve your general well-being, such as:

• Exercise.
• Give up smoking.
• Increase your amount of sleep, and aim to sleep and wake up at the same time every day.
• Don’t drink as much.
• reach a healthy weight, then maintain it.
• Eat a diet rich in calcium
• Multivitamins

If you are having issues with your sex drive, try taking Maca. Maca can help alleviate hot flashes, reduced sex drive, and mood swings. Even if vaginal dryness is an issue, vaginal lubricants could help and Maca can too. 

For other more natural remedies to reduce menopausal symptoms, check out our article on “The Top 10 Teas To Alleviate Menopausal Symptoms Naturally”.