Perimenopause
What is perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the stage before menopause when you start to experience symptoms of menopause. Many women are unaware that they’re perimenopausal and are ill-prepared, misunderstanding and misinterpreting these early symptoms. So, the more we know in advance the better equipped we’ll be to recognise what’s happening, why, what may help and what may hinder.
What are the first signs of perimenopause? Or, How do I know if I am in Perimenopause?
Some women will start to feel below par in their early forties, they’re still having regular periods but their ovaries aren’t producing the same quantities of oestrogen that they previously took for granted. While women are going about their daily toil, changes are taking place as their body prepares for the inevitable transition of menopause.
There is a whole length of time during which women may get symptoms of declining ovary function, usually called perimenopause, or sometimes the climacteric. It’s difficult to know when you’ve entered perimenopause but irregular periods, with cycles and flow becoming more erratic, heavier, or lighter can be one of the first signs.
When does perimenopause start?
Perimenopause symptoms can start to take hold in the early to mid-forties but earlier for some.
Fluctuating hormone levels may mean you’ll experience a variety of physical menopause and mental health symptoms. It’s called the ‘change’ for a reason. As it’s not something many of us are familiar with or are, prepared for, it can go unrecognised. You may put changes in mood and increased anxiety down to stressful situations happening around you involving work, family, or life in general.
How long do symptoms last?
A survey by The British Menopause Society found that women reported experiencing on average seven symptoms in the various stages of menopause. 8 out of 10 women experience symptoms for between 4 to 12 years, so it’s worth knowing more about the signs, symptoms, and treatment options to help you to keep on top of the side effects of depleting hormones.
How to deal with perimenopause?
With its smorgasbord of symptoms, perimenopause will mean something different to us all. Whatever the experience, there’s consensus about the role of self-care to improve symptoms and health. Symptoms won’t go but they may possibly be less severe, and your overall health and well-being will benefit. Now is the time to introduce some little or larger changes.
A combination of a healthy diet and regular exercise will help improve bone, heart, and brain health, as well as manage weight, to reduce the risks of heart disease. Changes to lifestyle stopping smoking, and drinking less alcohol and caffeine could help reduce anxiety, and hot flushes and improve sleep.
Manage stress through exercise, relaxation techniques, and more exercise.
If symptoms are impacting your day-to-day life at home, at work, or in your relationships, talk to your GP about treatment options that may include making those lifestyle changes, practising CBT, or topping up hormones with HRT, if it’s appropriate for you with your health history.
