Perimenopause is the transitional stage leading up to menopause, which officially marks the end of a woman's reproductive years. Perimenopause encompasses the time when a woman's body begins transitioning toward menopause, which is diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without a period.
The hallmark sign of perimenopause is changes in your menstrual cycle. You may experience shorter or longer periods, heavier or lighter flow, or missed periods. The duration of perimenopause varies dramatically among women - lasting anywhere from a few months to several years.
Other common symptoms associated with perimenopause include:
The underlying cause of these symptoms is shifting hormone levels. As you approach menopause, your ovaries begin to run out of viable eggs and make less estrogen and progesterone. These fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone trigger changes throughout the body.
Lifestyle changes can help ease challenging perimenopause symptoms:
The duration of perimenopause varies significantly among women. There's no "right time" to start experiencing perimenopause - some notice changes in their 30s or 40s, while others not until their 50s.
The best thing you can do is listen to your body and communicate with your healthcare provider at Invigorate Medical. Getting tested for hormone levels can provide helpful information about what's going on inside your changing body. Being informed puts you in control so you can take proactive steps to stay happy and healthy during the transitional process of perimenopause.