Perimenopause, also called the menopausal transition, is an early stage of menopause when your estrogen and progesterone levels begin to drop. Most women typically enter into this stage in their late 40’s, but this can vary from woman to woman. During this time, you may notice subtle (or not-so-subtle) signs that could be indicative of the early stages of menopause. The most frequent symptoms experienced are as follows:
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Changes in Menstrual Cycle: For many women, the first sign of menopause is a change in the length of menstrual cycles. Some women experience shorter cycles while some experience longer ones. This sign is often overlooked, especially for those who frequently experience irregular periods. For those whose cycles are always regular, this sign is more obvious.
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Hot Flashes: In the early stages of menopause, women begin to notice hot flashes. Hot flashes generally begin with an intense sensation of heat in the face or chest and eventually spread to the rest of the body. They can be accompanied by heart palpitations and often times the face and neck will appear flushed. Hot flashes are often an unavoidable part of menopause, and they can be triggered by wearing tight clothing, feeling stressed, or consuming alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods.
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Changes in Sleep Patterns: Many women experience changes in their sleep patterns at this time in life. Your core body temperature needs to cool off at night in order to sleep, and hot flashes and night sweats suddenly raise your temperature in the middle of the night, causing your sleep to be disturbed. Stress and anxiety can also play a factor in this.
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Changes in Mood: Mood swings are very common during menopause. Due to declining estrogen levels, women tend to experience random bouts of sadness, anxiety, anger, or irritability. You can improve mood disorders by eating healthy, exercising, using self-calming skills, and getting enough sleep in order to help balance out these mood shifts.
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Vaginal Symptoms: Uncomfortable vaginal symptoms occur when the lining and tissues of the vagina become drier and thinner due to the decline of estrogen. For some women, vaginal dryness and irritation are their first signs that menopause is on the way. This can cause pain during intercourse and may be noticed along with urinary incontinence. Women also tend to notice a lower vitality. Be sure to consult your doctor to discuss the treatments available to improve the vaginal symptoms of menopause.
While some women tolerate the symptoms of menopause without medication, many choose to replace the hormones that are diminishing in their bodies. Through Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy, women can feel better and fight the diseases of aging without any side effects or artificial hormones.
When the signs of menopause begin to disrupt your life, or if you think you are experiencing early menopause, it’s time to talk to your healthcare provider. The better prepared you are for this transition, the easier it will be. Contact New River Women’s Health today to request an appointment with our professional, friendly, all-female staff.
