Are you over 40? Does your period, which used to come on time, now come every few days? Does it go away completely some months? Or do you suddenly feel like you're sweating and shivering? Then you may be going through perimenopause. Don't worry, this is not a disease. It's a natural phase of life that every woman faces. Let's talk about this in detail, like a friend.
Simply put, what is perimenopause?
Imagine that your body is preparing for menopause, the time when menstruation stops completely. This preparatory, transitional period is called Perimenopause. During this time, the amount of hormones produced by your ovaries gradually decreases. The main result of this is that your menstrual cycle becomes irregular.
Simply put, it means that your reproductive years are coming to an end. This is a very natural thing to do. However, during this time, you may experience a number of physical and mental discomforts and symptoms. For some, this period ends in a few months, while for others, it can last for years.
The most important thing is to remember that even though your periods may be irregular during perimenopause, you are still able to get pregnant .
Menopause is the period when you have not had a period for 12 consecutive months. Perimenopause is the final stage of the journey to menopause.
What happens to the body's hormones during this time?
The main reason for many of the changes you experience during this time is the decrease in the hormone estrogen. This hormone is produced by your ovaries. This is essential for maintaining a healthy reproductive system.
When estrogen levels drop, they become out of balance with another hormone called progesterone, which is produced by the ovaries. During this time, hormone levels go up and down like a roller coaster. They are not the same one day, but the next. This imbalance is the cause of many symptoms.
Eventually, as you approach menopause, your body produces so little estrogen that the ovaries stop releasing eggs (ovulation) altogether. Your periods stop, and you lose the ability to get pregnant.
At what age does this condition start? How long has it been present?
Perimenopause usually begins 8-10 years before menopause. For most people, it begins in their mid-40s . But for some, it can start as early as their mid-30s.
How long this period lasts varies from person to person. It usually lasts about 4 years , but for some people it can last longer, perhaps as long as 8 years. For others, this phase can end in a few months.
If menopause occurs before the age of 40, it is called premature menopause. This condition can be caused by certain diseases or surgeries.
How do you know if you are in Perimenopause? What are the symptoms?
Remember, everyone's body is different. So not everyone will experience these symptoms in the same way. You may not feel what your friend feels. Some people may not feel anything other than irregular periods. But others may suffer a lot from things like hot flashes and mood swings.
In general, most people experience one or more of these symptoms.
| Symptom | A Simple Explanation |
|---|---|
| Irregular menstruation | Menstruation may be late, early, or completely absent in some months. |
| Changes in bleeding | Bleeding that is heavy on some days and very light on other days. |
| Hot Flashes | Sudden feeling of heat and sweating all over the body, especially the face and chest area. |
| Night Sweats | Sweating profusely at night, often waking you up. |
| Mental changes | Feeling angry, sad, stressed, or depressed for no reason. |
| Sleep problems (Insomnia) | Insomnia, waking up frequently, or feeling tired even after sleeping. |
| Vaginal dryness | Decreased estrogen causes decreased vaginal moisture and pain during sex. |
| Low libido | Decreased desire and desire for sex. |
| Urinary problems | Urinary urgency. |
Since some of these symptoms can also be signs of other conditions, it's best to talk to your doctor if you're experiencing these things. That way, they can be sure that they're due to perimenopause or something else.
In what situations do you definitely need to see a doctor?
It's normal to have irregular periods during perimenopause. However, some bleeding patterns require a checkup to rule out other medical conditions. If this happens to you, be sure to see a doctor.
| Feature to pay attention to |
|---|
| Excessive bleeding or large blood clots during menstruation. |
| Having to change sanitary pads within one or two hours. |
| Menstruation lasting a few days longer than usual. |
| Spotting or bleeding between menstrual cycles. |
| Bleeding after sex . |
| Menstrual cycles are less than 21 days long, which means they occur frequently. |
There may be other causes for this type of abnormal bleeding. For example:
- Infections
- Fibroids
- Polyps
- Blood clotting diseases
- Cancer
Therefore, do not ignore these symptoms. Seek medical advice immediately.
Is there a treatment for these problems?
There is no cure to stop the natural process of perimenopause. It is a part of life. However, there are many things you can do to manage the uncomfortable symptoms and provide relief.
Some people find great relief with simple lifestyle changes, but others may need medication.
Pharmacological treatment
Your doctor may recommend treatments such as these depending on your symptoms:
- Antidepressants: These help with conditions like hot flashes, mood swings, stress, and depression.
- Birth control pills: These stabilize your hormone levels and relieve many symptoms.
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): This treatment is given to women who have gone through menopause before the age of 40 to increase hormone levels.
- Gabapentin: Although this is a medication for epilepsy, it also helps control body heat.
- Vaginal creams: These help relieve vaginal dryness and pain during intercourse.
Lifestyle changes
Even without medication, you will feel a big difference with these things:
- A good diet: Eat foods rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Reduce foods high in sugar and fat.
- Exercise: Exercise such as walking, hiking, and weight lifting strengthens bones. Exercise also improves mental well-being.
- Light clothing: Wear several layers of clothing that you can take off when you feel hot.
- Get a good night's sleep: Stop watching TV or your phone before bed and do something calming, like reading a book or listening to music.
- Limit caffeine and alcohol: Things like tea, coffee, and alcohol can increase body heat.
- Avoid smoking: People who smoke may experience menopause earlier and have more severe symptoms.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
Other health risks and pregnancy to be aware of during this time
Health risks
Perimenopause brings with it a number of health risks. The hormone estrogen helps protect our bones. When it decreases, the bones become thinner and more easily broken, a condition known as osteoporosis . It also increases the risk of heart disease. That's why it's important to eat foods rich in calcium and vitamin D, and exercise.
Possibility of pregnancy
Yes, you can still get pregnant. Even if your periods are irregular, if you are still having periods, there is a chance that you are ovulating. So, unless you are planning to have children, it is essential to use birth control until your doctor says it is safe.
Some other questions you may have in mind
Will this affect my sex life?
Yes, it can. Vaginal dryness can make sex painful. It can also reduce sexual desire. There are solutions to this. You can get relief by using lubricants. Talk to your doctor about this.
Does perimenopause disrupt sleep?
Yes. Night sweats can wake you up from sleep. Also, hormonal changes can cause insomnia.
What does hot flashes feel like?
It's like a sudden heat wave that spreads all over your body. You sweat and your face turns red. This is caused by a drop in estrogen levels. This condition can last for months, maybe years.
Why does weight gain occur during this time?
Hormonal changes slow down the body's metabolism. Therefore, weight gain is very common. This can be controlled with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Perimenopause is the beginning of a new chapter in life. This time can be physically and emotionally challenging. If you have these symptoms and they are becoming unbearable, talk to your doctor. He or she can help you make this transition easier.
Take-Home Message
- Perimenopause is not a disease, but a natural transitional period that occurs before menopause.
- Irregular menstruation, hot flashes, sleep problems, and mood changes are common symptoms.
- If symptoms are unbearable, or if there is unusual bleeding, be sure to see a doctor.
- A healthy lifestyle, that is, good diet and exercise, can control many symptoms.
- Since it is still possible to get pregnant during this time, continue to use birth control if necessary.
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