Perimenopause – Your Bumpy Road to Menopause

Perimenopause can be a roller coaster ride for many with lots of hormonal ups and downs. This is the time when your body starts showing signs that menopause is on the way. These symptoms may be annoying at times but the good thing is that they won’t last forever. Perimenopause is the beginning of hormone change but it is not the end of life and sooner you understand this better you would be able to handle the symptoms.

What is Perimenopause?

The literal meaning of perimenopause is the ‘period near menopause’ that comes from the Greek language where the meaning of the word ‘Peri’ is around or near. It usually starts in the mid-40s, but it can begin anywhere from the mid-30s to the mid-50s.

According to Cleveland Clinic, perimenopause lasts about four years on average, and it can last up to eight. Some women have irregular, heavy or light periods, while others pass through it with few changes. Knowing what to expect can make the symptoms easier to manage.

What Causes Perimenopause?

Perimenopause happens because the ovaries gradually slow down. The ovaries make estrogen, a hormone that controls the menstrual cycle. During perimenopause, estrogen levels rise and fall unevenly, which leads to irregular periods and other symptoms.

Because this change is gradual, it is hard to predict how long it will last. Perimenopause ends at menopause, which is confirmed when you have gone 12 months in a row without a period. Until then, you can still get pregnant, so keep using birth control if you do not want a pregnancy.

What Causes Early Menopause?

As perimenopause is directly connected to menopause, it will be important to understand the reasons behind early menopause. Common reasons for early menopause include:

Having early menopause history in the family.
Surgery to remove the ovaries (oophorectomy) or uterus (hysterectomy)
Cancer treatment such as chemotherapy or pelvic radiation
Smoking

When menopause comes early, perimenopause may also start earlier, sometimes in the late 30s. Menopause before age 40 is called premature menopause and should be checked by a doctor.

Common Symptoms of Perimenopause

The common symptoms of perimenopause include the following:

Irregular periods with very heavy or light bleeding
Hot flashes and night sweats
Trouble sleeping
Mood changes
Vaginal dryness
Difficulty concentrating and forgetfulness
Headaches, muscle aches, and heart palpitation
Weight and hair changes
Urinary urgency and more frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Lower sex drive and reduced fertility

Perimenopause Treatment

Treatment depends on your symptoms and health history. A doctor may suggest low-dose birth control pills, which can steady hormone levels and ease symptoms. Hormone therapy with estrogen, or estrogen plus a progestin if you still have a uterus, is another option, and it comes as pills, skin patches, gels and sprays.

Hormone therapy and birth control pills need a prescription. They are not right for everyone, so discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor. Some non-hormonal prescription medicines can also help with hot flashes and mood symptoms, and over-the-counter vaginal moisturizers or lubricants can ease dryness.

Home Remedies

Lifestyle changes can make perimenopause easier. They cannot stop the symptoms, but these steps may help you feel better:

Limit your caffeine intake. If possible avoid caffeine past noon as this will ease your insomnia issue that eventually results in anxiety and mood swings.
Quit smoking and limit alcohol. Smoking is linked to earlier menopause, and Cleveland Clinic advises limiting alcohol and caffeine for better sleep.
Eat balanced meals with plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Lighter meals at night may help you sleep better.
Dress in layers and keep your bedroom cool to cope with hot flashes and night sweats.

Apart from the above home remedies, the most important is to be physically active. Regular exercise, such as walking, yoga and weight-bearing activities, can lift your mood and help protect your bones. Some people find that hard workouts close to bedtime make it harder to fall asleep.

Perimenopause is a natural phase that will pass with time. A healthy diet, regular activity and good sleep habits can ease many symptoms, and your doctor can help if symptoms affect your daily life. See a doctor about very heavy bleeding, bleeding between periods or bleeding after sex, because these can have other causes.

HP Thoughts: Men might not experience menopause, but they can have hormone problems that affect fertility. Learn more about this: Low Testosterone in Men.

Author Bio:

This article was written by Karishma, a freelance content writer. She mainly writes on health and lifestyle subjects. Her recent freelancing project was from Nutra Pure hCG, an online shop selling homeopathic hCG diet drops. Editor's note: the FDA warns that hCG is not approved for weight loss and is not approved for any use without a prescription. Any weight lost on hCG diets comes from severe calorie restriction, not from hCG.