Perimenopause Symptoms
Perimenopause is an inevitable phase in every woman’s life and usually happens after the age of 40 but it can sometimes occur as early as your 30′s. Perimenopause symptoms are generally the same as with menopause but usually less severe and less frequent. The symptoms are caused by the gradual change in hormonal levels and can range from hot flashes to depression. The vast majority of women, almost 95%, will suffer from one or more of these perimenopause symptoms.
The most common and serious perimenopause symptoms are as follows:
Hot Flashes – It’s usually the first and most common symptom. It feels like a sudden sensation of heat spreading over the body. In most cases it creates some kind of redness, mostly noticed on the face. Flashes occur as a reaction to the low levels of estrogen, the hormone of the reproductive system. Not all women will suffer from hot flashes, but it is one of the most common complaints during menopause
Night Sweats – The night version of hot flashes and they are usually much more intense and annoying, as they disrupt sleep and can cause you to wake up several times a night. Some women find it difficult to get a good nights rest which can then exacerbate other symptoms such as moodiness.
Irregularity in Period – Women who are approaching menopause suffer from irregular menstrual cycle; their periods get more or less frequent, they might have heavy bleeding for a few months and then very light for the rest of the time. In many cases, women can skip a month and then get back to normal, then skip again and so on.
Loss of Libido – Low libido is often associated with perimenopause. Women will start having peaks and lows in their sexual drive and function but in some rarer cases though, the exact opposite might occur.
Vaginal Dryness – This is another very common perimenopause symptom caused by the tissues and walls of the vaginal area becoming less elastic and less moist sometimes causing sex to become painful or uncomfortable.
Fatigue – Although this can be a symptom of general aging, it’s also a perimenopause symptom. Tiredness and lethargy can disrupt the general quality of a woman’s life because it affects productivity, energy levels, and leaves a general feeling of exhaustion.
Weight Gain – Many women experience weight gain due to hormonal changes as the metabolism slows down progressively during this transitional phase of life.
Emotional Swings – Just like during menstruation, some women have mood swings which can range from general moodiness to angry outbursts.
Although these perimenopause symptoms can be disruptive to your life, most can be controlled with some simple life changes. Eat a good diet, exercise, try to get a good night’s sleep, make time for romance and you’ll be well on your way to conquering your perimenopause symptoms
