Until you reached this stage in your life, there’s a high probability that you’d never even heard of perimenopause. As a matter of fact, you were probably a bit surprised that perimenopause (the transitional period before menopause) could begin so early in life, and last for ten years - sometimes even longer.

Symptoms of perimenopause are described almost exactly as those associated with menopause, and may include:

• Weight gain (especially around the mid-section)

• Mood changes

• Night sweats

• Hot flashes

• Vaginal dryness

• Changes in sexual desire (lowered libido)

• Sleep disturbances

• Frequent urination

• Extreme sweating

• Difficulty concentrating

• Other symptoms similar to those you may experience with premenstrual syndrome

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to talk with your health care provider to rule out any other medical conditions. Once you’re sure that perimenopause is indeed the culprit behind the symptoms you’re now noticing, it’s time to “step it up” and take the steps necessary to reduce - and in many cases eliminate - the discomforts that can be associated with perimenopause.

Your physician will likely encourage you to make some lifestyle changes that have been proven to effectively benefit many women during perimenopause. These include:

• Altering your diet to include soy and flax

• Exercising regularly, incorporating weight training into your routine at least three days per week

• Taking supplements of vitamin E

• Avoiding triggers that can cause hot flashes, such as caffeine; also, it’s suggested that you avoid being in extremely warm temperatures or rooms

• Herbal treatments, such as ginkgo biloba, black cohash or Evening Primrose Oil

Depending on your age, health and medical history and the severity of your symptoms, your doctor may also use various other treatments to remedy your perimenopausal symptoms, such as:

• A low dose of birth control to stabilize your hormone levels

• Antidepressants to level out your mood swings

• Progesterone to alleviate symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome

This transitional period can be a bit frightening for many women, but it’s important to remind yourself that you can indeed breeze through perimenopause and menopause if you simply take care of yourself. You can be as healthy, energetic, happy and beautiful as you’ve always been. As an added bonus, your age has brought you to a maturity level you didn’t have twenty years ago, giving you confidence to be certain that you can be and do everything you set your mind to. You will no doubt enjoy and savor your life if you remain positive and determined.



Thanks to Susan Megge for contributing this article to our Menopause blog:

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Can you answer Brain Tickler’s question about Menopause?:

I seem to show symptoms of perimenopause. But I refuse to believe that may be happening to me. Okay, I may get woken up in the middle of the night with what seems to be hot flashes, that seems to happen either now, during my period, or just after. And okay, there might be some vaginal dryness at times, but that says more about the sex life than anything else.

Couldn’t there be other issues going on apart from being permimenopausal? My digestive system hasn’t been working very well ever since I had gastroenteritus and ever since then I just haven’t been myself.
Thanks for all the replies so far. Much appreciated.

Am 37, on the pill for over 10 years now, smoke (I know, very bad). In fact, I had even wondered whether the company may have changed the contents/qty in the pill (Yasmine). Not going through immediate stress. But I do think it might be hormone related.

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Can you answer Night Wind’s question about Menopause?:

I’m 43 years old and seem to be starting into perimenopause. Tonight I have tingling in my cheeks and a hot feeling, although I’m not hot to touch. I don’t know if it’s symptoms of perimenopause or to do with my thyroid. The thyroid is gone and today they said my thyroid is low so they are increasing the dose. I hope that helps. Has anyone else experienced that with perimenopause? The hot flushing has gone on all evening. I’m tremendously tired lately during the daytime. I don’t have health insurance so my doctor is treating me conservativly.

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