Perimenopause

13 de octubre de 2023

3 min de lectura

Perimenopause means around menopause and refers to the transitional time in a person's life when the ovaries gradually stop working, marking the end of the reproductive period.

During perimenopause, your body:

Produce less estrogen and other hormones
Release eggs less frequently
Tend to skip or have irregular menstrual cycles
Become less fertile

What is perimenopause?

Also known as the menopause transition, perimenopause happens when your ovaries produce less hormone, leading to an erratic or irregular menstrual cycle. It is a transitional period when your body is moving towards menopause, which signals the end of the reproductive years.

People can experience the symptoms of perimenopause anytime between their mid-thirties to mid-fifties. While some may experience perimenopause for a shorter time, for many people, the symptoms may last for four to eight years before they go into menopause.

The perimenopause symptoms, the age it starts, and the severity of the symptoms varies from one person to another. Your transition from perimenopause to menopause occurs after 12 successive months without a menstrual period.

What causes perimenopause?

With age, your ovaries produce less estrogen and release fewer eggs as you transition into menopause. In menopause, the body stops releasing eggs completely when you lose the ability to get pregnant.

As your body produces less estrogen, it impacts the production of another hormone, progesterone. The imbalance in hormone production by the ovaries causes fluctuations in the menstrual cycle, leading to irregular periods.

What are the symptoms of perimenopause?

Irregular periods are one of the first signs of perimenopause. With declining estrogen levels, women with predictable menstrual cycles experience irregular or missed periods.

While the symptoms of perimenopause may vary widely, here are some common symptoms of perimenopause.

Missed or irregular periods
Heavier or lighter periods than average
Discomfort during sex with vaginal dryness
Hot flashes (A sudden feeling of warmth that spreads across the body)
Insomnia or sleep troubles
Mood fluctuations that involve mood swings, depression, and irritability
Urinary urgency(frequent urination)
Vaginal or urinary infections
Muscle and joint aches
Night sweats
Headaches

The declining estrogen levels can also cause a change in cholesterol levels and thinning of bones.

How is perimenopause diagnosed?

Many women self-diagnose perimenopause based on their age and symptoms. You do not need to visit a medical practitioner to diagnose perimenopause. If you have severe symptoms that affect your daily activities, it is best to see your doctor.

You must contact your healthcare provider if you are experiencing:

Spotting between periods
Menstrual discharge with blood clots
Vaginal bleeding after sex
Intense emotions that are disrupting your everyday life

What is the treatment and management of perimenopause?

Perimenopause is a natural process in a person’s life. The symptoms of perimenopause disappear as the person reaches menopause.

While no treatment exists to stop perimenopause, doctors can prescribe medications and therapies to ease and better manage the symptoms.

Your healthcare provider may recommend:

Birth control pills: These medications can stabilize your fluctuating hormones and ease the symptoms.
Vaginal creams: If you experience a dry and itchy vagina, your doctor may recommend over-the-counter or prescription ointments. The treatment can help with vaginal dryness and reduce pain during sex.
Estrogen therapy: The treatment uses creams, patches, gell, or pills with estrogen to stabilize the estrogen hormone and ease the symptoms.
Antidepressants: The medicines are given to people who struggle with mood swings and depression caused by perimenopause.
Gabapentin(Neurontin): A seizure medication that offers relief to people struggling with hot flashes.

Your doctor will discuss your symptoms and consider the best treatment for your perimenopause symptoms.

How do you manage perimenopause symptoms at home?

You can get relief from perimenopausal symptoms by making positive lifestyle changes like the following :

Eat a healthy diet by including fruits, vegetables, healthy fats and whole grains.
Get regular exercises like walking, strength training, or hiking.
Developing better sleep habits.
Limit alcohol and quit smoking.
Practice stress management techniques like meditation to improve mental well-being.

If you’re having symptoms of perimenopause that is affecting your quality of life, speak to your gynecologist or physician.

Sources:

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En esta página

What is perimenopause?

What causes perimenopause?

What are the symptoms of perimenopause?

How is perimenopause diagnosed?

What is the treatment and management of perimenopause?

How do you manage perimenopause symptoms at home?

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