When to Consult Your Clinician About Perimenopause

Peri means near, and perimenopause is the stage of menopause when you move from having regular periods to having none (menopause officially begins 12 months after your last period). If your perimenopause symptoms are severe or affecting your quality of life, it may be time to consult Dr. Elaine Eustis Mount Pleasant. Your doctor can provide assistance or recommend therapy to alleviate the severity of your symptoms.

Common symptoms of perimenopause

Perimenopause symptoms are not universal since each woman experiences this phase in her way. Women may have hot flashes, heart palpitations, headaches, exhaustion, or weight gain for varied durations of time and to varying degrees.

Other common symptoms that can occur at any moment, with different regularity, timing, and type depending on the individual:

• Night sweats (nighttime hot flashes).
• Sleep disturbance (from hot flashes or hormonal fluctuations).
• Difficulty concentrating; forgetting names.
• Depression or anxiety (mostly if predisposed; hormonal imbalances may worsen it).
• Joint discomfort.

What is hormone therapy?

Hormone treatment can help alleviate certain perimenopause symptoms. In general, healthcare experts advise patients who choose hormone treatment to begin it within ten years after the onset of menopausal symptoms and to take it for no less than five years.

Hormones and estrogen have been associated with an increased risk of heart disease and some forms of breast cancer. Talk with your healthcare practitioner to ensure that you understand the risks and advantages of hormone therapy as a perimenopause treatment.

The duration of perimenopause

Perimenopause often occurs in a woman’s 40s, but it can begin as early as her late 30s or even younger. While the average duration of perimenopause is four years, some women report it lasts only a few months. In contrast, others indicate that it lasts up to ten years. You are no longer in perimenopause if you haven’t had a period for more than 12 months.

The hormonal changes that occur during perimenopause

Low estrogen levels mostly drive the hormonal alterations that occur during perimenopause. Your ovaries produce estrogen, which is essential for the reproductive system to function properly. As you reach perimenopause, your estrogen levels begin to fall. As estrogen levels fall, the ovaries’ production of progesterone, another hormone, is disrupted.

These two hormones work together to control ovulation and menstruation. Hormone levels vary throughout perimenopause, going up and down like a rollercoaster. As you enter menopause, your body produces so little estrogen that your ovaries stop producing eggs. You no longer have your period at this stage.

Possible questions to ask your doctor during the appointment

You should discuss your perimenopause indicators with your healthcare professional. Also, keep a journal of your menstrual cycles, including the amount of bleeding and when they begin or stop. Some questions you should ask are:

• Are these indicators of perimenopause?
• What can I do to relieve my signs?
• How long will I have these indicators?
• Is hormone therapy a solution option for me?

Perimenopause is the transition to menopause when you might begin having menopause-like indicators, like hot flashes, mood changes, or vaginal dryness. Most perimenopause symptoms are manageable, but medicines and other therapies are available if you require help managing your symptoms. Call Menopause Solutions or book your meeting online to determine your ideal perimenopause therapies.