Perimenopause
Perimenopause means the age "around" menopause, that is, the period of time when a woman's body undergoes a natural transition from permanent infertility to menopause. Perimenopause is also called menopausal transition
Women start perimenopause at different ages The first signs, such as irregular menstrual cycles, may begin as early as age 40 Some women notice these signs even from the age of 30
Estrogen levels - the main hormone in a woman's body, often change after perimenopause The menstrual cycle is prolonged or shortened, anovulatory cycles may also develop Menopause-like symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep disturbances, vaginal dryness also appear There are treatments available to help manage symptoms
When a woman no longer has a menstrual cycle for 12 months, she is considered to have reached menopause. At this time, the perimenopause period ends
When you're perimenopausal, your body's estrogen and progesterone levels change rapidly A major cause of perimenopausal symptoms is a decline in estrogen levels
During perimenopause, small changes in the body begin, and may be manifested:
- Disruption of the menstrual cycle As ovulation becomes more difficult to predict, the time between cycles may increase or decrease Menstrual bleeding may be small or large It is also possible to skip a cycle If there are changes in the menstrual cycle lasting 7 days or more, you may be in early perimenopause. If there are 60 days or more between cycles, the woman is in the later stages of perimenopause
- Overheating and sleep problems Many women experience hot flashes during perimenopause Intensity, duration and frequency vary Sleep disturbances are most often associated with problems with overheating or night sweats, although sometimes sleep problems develop.
- Mood changes Some women experience frequent mood swings, irritability, and a high risk of depression during perimenopause The cause of these symptoms may be sleep disturbances Mood swings are also associated with non-hormonal factors that occur during perimenopause
- Vaginal and bladder problems When estrogen levels drop, vaginal tissues lose lubrication and elasticity, making intercourse painful. Low estrogen levels can also cause urinary and vaginal infections Loss of tissue tone can also be the cause of urinary incontinence
- declining fertility When ovulation is not regular, the ability to have a child also decreases As long as a woman has a cycle, it is still possible to get pregnant If you do not want to get pregnant, it is recommended to use contraception until 12 months after stopping the cycle
- Changes in sexual functions During perimenopause, libido and arousal may change Most women still have a normal sex life during both perimenopause and menopause
- Bone loss As estrogen levels drop, bone tissue begins to be lost faster than the body can replace it. This leads to osteoporosis, a disease in which the bones become brittle
- Change in cholesterol levels A decrease in estrogen levels leads to undesirable changes in blood cholesterol levels, including an increase in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (which contributes to the development of atherosclerotic heart disease). At the same time, high-density cholesterol ("good" cholesterol) decreases with age Due to these two processes, the risk of developing atherosclerotic diseases is increased
When to see a doctor Some women see a doctor for perimenopausal symptoms Others tolerate these changes or simply don't have symptoms severe enough to see a doctor Since the symptoms develop gradually, you may not understand what you are dealing with at first Symptoms are caused by rapid changes in estrogen and progesterone levels Both hormones are important in the female body
If you have symptoms that interfere with your daily life, such as hot flashes, mood changes, decreased sexual function, etc. Please consult your doctor
