How to Recognize Perimenopause

Contrary to what some women may think, the first signs of menopause can actually begin as early as her 30’s.  Her production of estrogen starts to slow down and become mildly erratic.  This can start as early as ten years prior to full menopause, defined as twelve full months without menstruation.   This transitional period of time is called perimenopause.

A good way to tell if you are in perimenopause is to understand and recognize the common symptoms associated with it.  Those can be any or all of the following:  Hot flashes, night sweats, irregular periods, mood swings, breast tenderness, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, intensified PMS, urinary incontinence, loss of libido and painful intercourse due to vaginal dryness.   While there is no cause for alarm if you do experience any of these symptoms, it is especially important to rule out other conditions which have similar effects.  This is why it is important to discuss with a health care professional during a routine visit such as your annual physical.

Perimenopause can last up to ten years, although it is typically four.  Regardless of when it occurs, there are many things a woman can do to alleviate the associated discomfort.  The most important step is to inform your spouse or loved one of your situation, as emotional support is critical.  This is not a good time to be a martyr and suffer alone.

Your physician can diagnose perimenopause using a blood test to check your hormone levels; however a single test would be difficult to interpret.  Multiple tests done at different times is a better indicator that your hormones are amiss.  That, along with discussion of your symptoms, is usually a good way to confirm that you are indeed in the midst of perimenopause.

Another important factor to consider is your ability to get pregnant during this time.  Despite the irregularity of your period and production of eggs, you absolutely can get pregnant during menopause, so birth control is highly recommended if you do not want to become pregnant.  That being said, if you DO still want children, it is more difficult at this stage to become pregnant, so don’t get discouraged.  There are fertility-enhancing drugs that can help. Many women do have children in their 30’s and even their 40’s while exhibiting symptoms.

Treatment for Perimenopausal Symptoms

Your doctor may recommend a low dose birth control pill to control symptoms such as hot flashes.  There is also the patch, the vaginal ring or injections.  These methods that include hormones are not for everyone so careful consideration is needed.  Other methods used for hot flashes include the vaginal ring (Nuvaring), injections of the hormone progesterone and the birth control patch.  However certain women should avoid these methods because of their hormone content, so it is advisable to speak with your doctor to see if they are right for your situation.

Some other effective treatments for perimenopause include stopping smoking, increase your level of physical activity, increasing your consumption of whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes, and drinking about eight glasses or 4 bottles of water per day to promote motility.  Counseling is highly recommended especially if your sex drive has been affected, and don’t forget to talk to your friends, who may be experiencing the same symptoms.