So how do you know if you’re perimenopausal? And are the symptoms you’re experiencing perimenopause or menopause?
Okay, so to start: premenopause is when you still have periods and could still fall pregnant. Some hormonal changes may be happening, but there are no noticeable changes in your body.
Then, during your perimenopause years, you will start to experience symptoms of menopause (the stopping of menstruation) as your body is transitioning into menopause.
Perimenopause – The period of a woman’s life shortly before the occurrence of the menopause.
Perimenopause can start any time from your 30s, but it’s more common in your 40s. It is the time in your life when your body starts producing less oestrogen. This stage can last anywhere from a few months to 10 years in some cases.
And then, when you completely stop having your period for a full year, you have entered menopause. This usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55.
So, what are the symptoms of perimenopause?
Well, these are the most common symptoms that you could be experiencing during this time:
- Breast tenderness
- Irregular periods
- Periods that are heavier or lighter than usual
- Worse premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Lower sex drive
- Forgetfulness
- Muscle and joint aches
- Headaches
- Weight gain
- Dry skin and hair loss
And as oestrogen levels drop more (in your final years of perimenopause), you can also experience:
- Hot flushes
- Night Sweats
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Trouble sleeping
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex
Oh wow! Lots to look forward to then, huh?!
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, congratulations, you’re perimenopausal and moving towards menopause. And if you haven’t menstruated for 12 consecutive months, then you’ve reached menopause and any symptoms that might continue are then called postmenopause symptoms. And there endeth the lesson on pre/peri/post-menopause. Hahaha!
Oh, and don’t forget you’re awesome. Because wow, that’s a lot of craziness to have to deal with and most women take it in their stride.
You may also want to read: Top 20 Questions about Perimenopause answered here
Related: Things That Happen During Perimenopause That Nobody Talks About
Alrighty then, so are there any treatments?
If you’re suffering from your symptoms, there are some treatments that you can look into to feel better. Hormone therapy is sometimes prescribed to balance oestrogen levels and thereby relieve symptoms. However, you would need to consult with your doctor to decide on your best course of action. Otherwise…
There are also some lifestyle changes that could alleviate your symptoms
- Regular exercise
- Enough rest
- Regulating alcohol and caffeine intake
- Yoga
- Eating a well-balanced diet
- Meditation and mindfulness
Menopause and bone health
And then just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse…
Decreased oestrogen levels in your body can affect the calcium levels in your bones which can, in turn, cause a decrease in bone density, leading to osteoporosis. So as we’re moving into this stage of our lives, we should try and do more of the following:
- Eat calcium-rich foods (for stronger bones)
- Include Vitamin D supplements in your daily routine (helps to absorb calcium, for healthy bones)
- Regulate our alcohol and caffeine intake (as too much could lead to not absorbing calcium properly and bone loss)
- Do regular exercise that includes some weight training (strength training helps with the prevention of osteoporosis)
- Avoid smoking (as it is a risk factor for osteoporosis)
- Eat a well-balanced diet (good nutrition is key)
- Avoid unnecessary weight gain (as it could increase the risk of health problems)
- Reduce stress
And other than that, simply try to stay positive and marvel at the miracle of our awesome bodies. Because let’s face it, there’s no turning back now. It’s onward and upward.
But seriously, women are such amazing creatures, aren’t we? These bodies of ours perform daily wonders and I guess we should continue to treat them well and look after them as best we can as we enter each new phase of our lives. Self-care FTW!
Do you have any other tips that you’ve found help to ease your perimenopause symptoms? Sleeping with a fan in your bedroom, cutting down on certain foods, avoiding spicy foods or maybe having a regular date night to spice up your life that way instead?
Please leave any tips and great ideas in the comments section below. I would love to hear what you have to say.
You may also want to read: How to deal with perimenopause weight gain
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