Perimenopause - Vitality Hormone Center

What is Perimenopause?

Perimenopause refers to the transitional stage leading up to menopause when a woman's body begins to produce less estrogen and progesterone. This transition usually begins in a woman's 40s, but can start as early as the 30s. The entire menopausal transition process takes an average of four to five years, but each woman's experience is different.

Some of the key things to know about perimenopause include:

• It marks the beginning of the end of a woman's reproductive years. The number of egg follicles in the ovaries begins to decline, and the menstrual cycle begins to change.
• Common symptoms of perimenopause include:
  • Hot flashes and night sweats
  • Changes in period flow (heavier or lighter)
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Changes in mood like depression or anxiety
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Brain fog and memory issues
• Hormone levels fluctuate a lot. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) increase, while estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone start to decline.
• Perimenopausal women may begin to skip periods or have irregular cycles. They may also experience menstrual flow changes.
• Diagnosis is typically based on reported symptoms plus blood tests of FSH, estradiol, and other hormone levels.
• Treatment focuses on managing difficult symptoms through methods like birth control, vaginal estrogen, antidepressants, etc. Making healthy lifestyle choices can also help ease this transition.

The lead up to menopause can last for a long time, and perimenopausal symptoms may come and go. Working closely with your doctor at Vitality Hormone Center, keeping tabs on your symptoms, and asking questions will help ensure you're able to manage this transition with minimal difficulty.