Get Ready: The Signs of Perimenopause
Changing hormone levels can cause a variety of symptoms that may last from a few months to a few years or longer. Some women have slight discomfort or worse. Others have little or no trouble. If any of these changes bother you, check with your doctor. The most common symptoms are:
Menstrual irregularities. 90% of women have changes in their menstrual cycles during the perimenopausal stage. 70% note less frequent, lighter periods, others have a heavier flow and may bleed a lot for many days. Periods may come less than three weeks apart or last more than a week. There may be spotting between periods. Women who have had problems with heavy menstrual periods and cramps will find relief from these symptoms when menopause starts.
Hot flashes and sleep problems. 85% of women have hot flashes. A hot flash is a sudden feeling of heat in the upper part or all of your body. Your face and neck become flushed. Red blotches may appear on your chest, back, and arms. Heavy sweating and cold shivering can follow. Flashes can be as mild as a light blush or severe enough to wake you from a sound sleep (called night sweats). Most flashes last between 30 seconds and five minutes. Sleep problems often occur due to hot flashes or night sweats.
Mood changes and PMS. Mood swings, depression and irritability may be the result of hormonal changes or lack of sleep due to hot flashes.
Vaginal and bladder problems. Low estrogen levels can cause tissues to lose elasticity and lubrication, resulting in uncomfortable intercourse or more susceptibility to urinary infections. Urinary incontinence may result from loss of tissue tone.
Decreased fertility. Pregnancy is still possible during perimenopause, so birth control should still be used to prevent unwanted pregnancies. However, irregular ovulation does decrease the likelihood of conception.
Loss of libido. Decreased sexual function is indicated by 30% of women during perimenopause. Conversely, less than 10% actually indicate an increase in sexual function.
Body changes and increased cholesterol levels. As muscle mass decreases with declining estrogen levels, body fat increases and skin thins and loses its elasticity. With increased body fat, women may find their waists and abdomens thickening. Changes in blood fats may make themselves known in cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and related increased risk of heart disease.
Bone loss. Increased risk of osteoporosis.
Difficulty falling asleep and waking up.
Fatigue. Likely due to disrupted sleep or, less often, due to diminished thyroid function.
Other physical signs you may experience:
Headaches
Breast tenderness
Gastrointestinal distress and nausea
Tingling or itchy skin
"Buzzing" in your head, electric shock sensation
Bloating
Dizziness/lightheadedness
Sore joints or muscles
Hair loss or thinning
Increase in facial hair
Changes in body odor
Dry mouth and other oral symptoms
Other emotional signs you may experience:
Irritability
Mood swings
Anxiety
"Brain Fog" -- difficulty concentrating, confusion
Memory lapses
Feeling emotionally detached
