What is perimenopause? This is a question many women are asking and a term we are hearing more regularly. Let’s start with how Dr Amy Gajjar, an Integrative Physician describes it: “Menopause itself is said to have taken place when it has been one year since the last period. Perimenopause is a transitional state and hence often called menopausal transition. For some women perimenopause will cause periods to stop suddenly and for others, there may be irregular periods over a few years. This is due to fluctuation in hormone levels, especially oestrogen and the most common symptoms include hot flushes, irregular cycle with shorter or longer periods, tiredness, insomnia, weight gain, mood swings and cognitive symptoms like forgetfulness and brain fog”.
What age does perimenopause start?
Every woman is unique and will commence perimenopause at a different age. Some women can start as early as 35 but most will experience it between their mid to late 40s. It can last anywhere from 1 to 10 years, with 4 to 6 years being the average. Genetics will generally dictate the age you commence perimenopause and transition through to menopause, so knowing when your mother experienced it will give you a good indicator of what to expect for yourself. Studies have shown that there are many other factors that can also affect the age you reach menopause and affect hormone balance. These include the age you started menstruating, the age you had children and the number of pregnancies, use of oral contraceptives, your body mass index and your overall health and wellbeing.
What is happening with your hormones during perimenopause?
In an article published in Jean Hailes Magazine, it mentions “during perimenopause your ovaries are winding down” with the ovaries producing few eggs. During this time, hormones fluctuation with lower levels of progesterone and spikes in estrogen levels. As a result of the decline of ovarian function, ovulation can become irregular. “Some months you may ovulate, sometimes twice in a cycle, while in other months, no egg will be released,” mentions Jean Hailes’ article: Perimenopause: how to manage the change before ‘The Change’.
What are the symptoms of perimenopause?
Menopause is when the women’s ovaries stop producing eggs and her periods ceases permanently. During the transitional period of perimenopause is when symptoms can be felt due to the hormonal changes. Not all women will be impacted by symptoms. Data from Jean Hailes Perimenopause Fact Sheet indicates a lucky 20% do not experience symptoms, while 60% experience mild to moderate symptoms and 20% experience extreme symptoms.
If you are within the right age bracket and experiencing at least 3 or more of these common symptoms, you may be perimenopausal:
- Changes to your cycle, irregular periods
- Changes to your flow, heavier or lighter periods
- Hot flushes and night sweats
- Insomnia
- Trouble concentrating
- Brain fog
- Newly onset breast tenderness
- Newly onset or increased migraines
- Increased premenstrual tension and mood swings
- Loss of libido (sex drive)
- Vaginal dryness
- Unexplained weight gain
What can I do to ease perimenopause symptoms?
Although, the symptoms of perimenopause may appear daunting, there is a wealth of resources and support to nurture you on the journey.
Our Re-Glow Perimenopause Relief supplement was crafted specifically to assist with the most common perimenopause symptoms, including hot flushes, night sweats, mood imbalance, disturbed sleep, abdominal bloating, mild anxiety, low libido and joint aches and pains.
Please speak with your medical practitioner before commencing taking any supplements.
For more treatment ideas we recommend reading Lara Briden’s book: Hormone Repair Manual.