Perimenopause
Perimenopause marks the time when your body begins its move into menopause. It includes the years leading up to menopause — anywhere from two to eight years — plus the first year after your final period. There is no way to tell in advance how long it will last OR how long it will take you to go through it. It's a natural part of aging that signals the ending of your reproductive years.
Signs and Symptoms
Perimenopause causes some changes in your body that may not be noticeable. For most women, the discomforts associated with perimenopause are minimal and manageable. Some things you might experience include:
- Changes in your menstrual cycle (longer or shorter periods, heavier or lighter periods, or missed periods)
- Hot flashes (sudden rush of heat from your chest to your head)
- Night sweats (hot flashes that happen while you sleep)
- Vaginal dryness
- Sleep problems
- Mood changes (mood swings, depression, or irritability)
- Pain during sex
- More urinary infections
- Urinary incontinence
- Less interest in sex
- Increase in body fat around your waist
- Problems with concentration and memory
As you start to notice some of these signs, monitor your menstrual cycle and record your signs and symptoms for several months. This way you will have have valuable information to discuss with your health care provider at Gynecology and Infertility Associates.
There are many healthy options available to help relieve the discomfort of perimenopause.
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in the Gynecology and Infertility Associates web site should be relied upon for medical education purposes only. It is not intended to replace the independent judgment of a health care provider. The appropriateness of a course of treatment for a patient may vary from the medical information provided herein due to individual conditions and/or complications.