Have your periods become unpredictable? You might be feeling anxious. Maybe you're waking at 3 am drenched in sweat, or finding yourself forgetting words mid-sentence.
If any of this sounds familiar, you're not alone, and you're not imagining it. You may be experiencing perimenopause.
This is the transitional phase that leads up to menopause, and it is one of the most misunderstood chapters in women's health.
What Is Perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the period of hormonal transition that precedes menopause. During this time, the ovaries gradually produce less oestrogen and progesterone.
Menopause is the point at which you've gone 12 consecutive months without a period.
When you reach menopause, it marks the end of your reproductive years. Significant hormonal and physiological changes accompany it.
How long does perimenopause last?
Perimenopause is the transition leading up to menopause. It can last 2 to 12 years, but on average, it lasts 4 years.
Most women enter perimenopause in their mid-to-late 40s, though it can begin as early as the mid-30s or as late as the mid-50s.
Menopause commonly occurs around age 51.
What is the menopause transition?
The terms perimenopause, menopause, and menopause transition are often used together.
The menopause transition refers to the changes in menstrual cycles. It often occurs with common symptoms.
The perimenopause describes the overall process of hormonal changes and their impact on health and daily life.
Which hormones are affected during menopause?
During perimenopause, your hormone levels change.
There is a misconception that your hormone levels decline slowly and steadily. This is not the case. Your hormone levels fluctuate, and this is what causes the wide range of symptoms.
Hormone changes that trigger perimenopause symptoms are linked to oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Testosterone's decline contributes to reduced libido, fatigue, and low mood.
What's the difference between early menopause and premature menopause?
Early menopause and premature menopause are different from typical perimenopause.
Early menopause refers to menopause that occurs before age 45, while premature menopause is when menopause occurs before age 40, often confirmed by hormone level tests.
The NHS acknowledge the additional struggle to conceive due to early perimenopause and premature menopause that individuals may experience.
How Do I Know If I'm In Perimenopause?
The honest answer is that it can be hard to tell.
Symptoms vary enormously between individuals and many overlap with other conditions like thyroid disorders, anxiety, or simply the demands of midlife.
If you are experiencing symptoms, the best advice is to recognise and track them, because this can help you and your healthcare provider assess your menopause journey more effectively.
The common symptoms of perimenopause include irregular periods, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness.
Irregular Periods
A change in your menstrual cycle is often the first signal.
Your periods may become shorter or longer, heavier or lighter, or begin arriving at unpredictable intervals. Your normal pattern may change, with cycles becoming irregular before stopping. You might skip months altogether.
As perimenopause leads to menopause and you stop having periods altogether.
This irregularity is...
