Perimenopause is the transition period leading up to menopause, which signals the end of a woman’s reproductive years. While that might seem as though it’s a long way off, the signs of perimenopause may begin eight to 10 years before menopause arrives.
Cynthia McNally, MD, and the Evergreen Women’s Health team can help you navigate this phase of life with confidence. We offer effective solutions for some of the symptoms.
Understanding what’s happening in your body is the first step toward feeling like yourself again. Let’s explore the signs that could mean you’re going through perimenopause.
Your menstrual cycle has been a reliable part of your life for decades, but suddenly, things are becoming unpredictable. Shorter, longer, or skipped periods — along with changes in flow — are common as your body slows down its production of key reproductive hormones like estrogen and progesterone.
Irregular cycles are often one of the first and most noticeable signs of perimenopause. As you get closer to menopause your periods may start to become less frequent. Women reach menopause after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period.
Hot flashes seem to hit out of nowhere, a wave of heat that leaves you flushed and sweating. These episodes may get worse at night, disrupting your rest and causing you to wake up drenched in sweat.
Research suggests that hot flashes and night sweats are the result of hormonal changes interfering with your internal thermostat, the hypothalamus. This causes the body to believe it’s overheating, so it releases sweat in an effort to cool down.
With or without night sweats, you might find yourself lying awake at night during perimenopause, unable to fall or stay asleep. Hormonal changes can cause insomnia, leading to ongoing exhaustion and even sleep deprivation.
Many women also report cognitive changes during the transition to menopause. A lack of sleep, increased stress, and fluctuating hormones can contribute to mental fogginess, memory lapses, and difficulty concentrating.
The hormonal changes that affect you physically also impact your brain’s ability to regulate mood and emotion. During perimenopause, you may experience feelings of irritability, sadness, or anxiety without an obvious cause.
These emotional symptoms might feel similar to premenstrual syndrome, but they can occur at unpredictable times or seem constant, completely unrelated to your cycle. Other symptoms, like sleep problems, can also contribute to mood changes.
A decline in estrogen can cause the vaginal tissues to become thinner, with less natural lubrication. As a result, intimacy may feel uncomfortable or even painful.
These symptoms — collectively known as vaginal atrophy or genitourinary syndrome of menopause — are more common in post-menopausal women, but they can begin during perimenopause.
It’s not just about the physical discomfort, either. The same hormonal shifts, combined with other factors like fatigue, stress, and low mood, can significantly reduce your sex drive.
Perimenopause is a natural stage of life, not a condition to be cured, but the symptoms don’t have to disrupt your life. To learn how we can help you get back to the best version of yourself, schedule a consultation with the team at Evergreen Women’s Health in Vancouver, Washington, today.
