Perimenopause, or menopause transition, is the stage of a woman's reproductive life that begins several years before menopause,
when the ovaries gradually begin to produce less estrogen. It usually
starts in a woman's 40s, but can start in a woman's 30s or even earlier.
Perimenopause lasts up until menopause, the point
when the ovaries stop releasing eggs. In the last one to two years of
perimenopause, this decline in estrogen accelerates. At this stage, many
women experience menopausal symptoms.
How Long Does Perimenopause Last?
The average length of perimenopause is four years,
but for some women this stage may last only a few months or continue for
10 years. Perimenopause ends the first year after menopause (when a
woman has gone 12 months without having her period).
What Are the Signs of Perimenopause?
You may recognize perimenopause when you begin experiencing some or all of the following symptoms:
- Hot flashes
- Breast tenderness
- Worsening of premenstrual syndrome
- Decreased libido (sex drive)
- Fatigue
- Irregular periods
- Vaginal dryness; discomfort during sex
- Urine leakage when coughing or sneezing
- Urinary urgency (a pressing need to urinate more frequently)
- Mood swings
- Difficulty sleeping
How Do I know If Changes in My Periods Are Normal Perimenopausal Symptoms or Something to Be Concerned About?
Irregular periods are common and normal during
perimenopause. But other conditions can cause abnormalities in menstrual
bleeding. If any of the following situations apply to you, see a doctor
to rule out other causes:
- Your periods are very heavy, or accompanied by blood clots
- Your periods last several days longer than usual
- You spot between periods
- You experience spotting after sex
- Your periods occur closer together
Potential causes of abnormal bleeding include
hormonal imbalances, birth control pills, pregnancy, fibroids, blood
clotting problems or, rarely, cancer.
How Is Perimenopause Diagnosed?
Often your doctor can make the diagnosis of perimenopause based on your symptoms. Blood tests to check hormone levels may also be beneficial, but they may be difficult to evaluate due to erratic fluctuations of hormones during this period. It may be more helpful to have several tests done at different times for comparison.Can I Get Pregnant If I Am Perimenopausal?
Yes. Despite a decline in fertility during the
perimenopause stage, you can still become pregnant. If you do not want
to become pregnant, you should continue to use some form of birth
control until you reach menopause (you have gone 12 months without
having your period).
For some women, getting pregnant can be difficult once they are
in their late 30s to early 40s due to a decline in fertility. But, if
becoming pregnant is the goal, there are fertility-enhancing treatments
and techniques that can help you get pregnant.Are There Treatments That Can Reduce the Symptoms Associated With Perimenopause?
Many women experience relief from hot flashes after
taking low-dose birth control pills for a short period of time. Other
options that may control hot flashes include the birth control skin
patch, vaginal ring, and progesterone injections. Certain women should
not use birth control hormones, so talk to your doctor to see if they
are right for you.
Are There Treatments That Can Reduce the Symptoms Associated With Perimenopause? continued...
You may also feel better if you do things that enhance your general well-being, such as:
- Exercise
- Stop smoking if you smoke
- Get more sleep and try going to sleep and waking up at the same time each day
- Decrease the amount of alcohol you drink
- Get to a healthy weight and stay there
- Take a multivitamin supplement and ingest enough calcium
- Drink at least eight glasses of water each day
Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing problems with your sex drive.
He or she may be able to recommend a counselor or therapist to help you
and your partner work through this issue. Vaginal lubricants may also
be recommended, if vaginal dryness is a problem.
Additional treatments available to help with the various symptoms
of perimenopause may include antidepressant medications for mood
swings.Talk to your doctor about your specific symptoms and goals of treatment. This will help him or her in developing the plan that is right for you.
