When approaching menopause the changing levels of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone can result in a wide range of symptoms and conditions. Some women will experience serious symptoms, while others will go through this transitional period easily, experiencing only very mild symptoms and in some instances absolutely no symptoms at all. Perimenopause symptoms are very similar to the symptoms of menopause so the following symptoms apply to perimenopause as well. Let’s examine the most common signs of menopause.

A change in period bleeding and menstrual cycle is quite common.
Periods may become irregular with more or less bleeding. Some women may have very heavy bleeding for a few days and then very light bleeding for a couple more days, sometimes periods are less than 22 days apart and you may have spotting between periods.

Hot flashes are one of the very frequent signs of menopause; the vast majority of menopausal women experience them. Hot flashes demonstrate with sudden heat strokes in the upper part of the body and redness in the face and neck. Night sweating is also associated with these flashes and it can be mild or quite severe, they usually disappear a few years after menopause.

Vaginal dryness is quite commonly observed as one of the signs of menopause. The tissues of the genitalia become thin and less elastic and some women have problems with regular sexual intercourse due to pain and discomfort and they become more prone to vaginal infections. The signs of menopause include changes in sex drive with some women experiencing a sudden loss of libido or trouble getting aroused. In some cases though, women feel freer since pregnancy is no longer an issue and they become more sexually active. However, women are still advised to use condoms because menopause doesn’t offer any immunity to sexually transmitted diseases.

Many women experience urinary problems, infections, incontinence and a more frequent need to use the bathroom. In some cases, it causes small leaks of urine when sneezing, coughing, or during any sudden move.

Women may also begin to experience mood swings which can vary in intensity. For some women, the symptoms can include anxiety and clinical depression which may require prescription medication in order to overcome it. Fortunately, for most women, the symptoms aren’t that serious and are very similar in nature to the mood swings during menstruation. Exhaustion is quite common and because of night sweats and interrupted sleep, it becomes increasing difficult to feel truly rested. And, of course, less sleep leads to more stress and more mood swings so it becomes a bit a vicious cycle.

The signs of menopause also include weight gain, most often around the mid section. Lean muscle mass decreases and it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain or gain lean muscle. The skin becomes less flexible and loses its elasticity.

Heart problems might also appear, although they’re usually not serious and they’re usually short term; palpitations and tachycardia are among them and they are quite regular and common in women between the ages of 45 and 55. In some cases though these signs could mimic symptoms of other diseases and conditions, therefore it’s important to consult with a doctor to avoid complications and other potential health problems.

The signs of menopause are many and varied and each woman’s experience will be different. In the case of anxiety and depression, it’s important to see a doctor and explore possible medications in order to control the symptoms. Unfortunately for the rest of the annoying symptoms there is not a lot that can be done. The best thing you can do is to try to get plenty of sleep, reduce your stress level, invest in some vaginal lubricant, do weight bearing exercises and just generally try to be good to yourself while you ride out this challenging time. If you think you’re having unusual or severe problems with menopause then it’s always in your best interest to make an appointment with your doctor. If possible, keep a sense humor about the whole thing and try to keep in mind that this a natural phase of life that women have been enduring since the dawn of time.

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

Medical Treatment for Perimenopause Symptoms:

Low Dose Contraceptives – These help control irregular bleeding, vaginal dryness and help reduce hot flashes.
Progestin Treatment – For women who can’t take oral contraceptives, this can help with bleeding problems.

Endometrial Ablation – This is when the uterus lining is broken down with a laser to help control heavy bleeding. Generally this is only used in the most severe cases.

Natural Treatment

Exercise – This helps preserve bone density, reduce stress, and helps you sleep better

Sleep – Without proper sleep, you will suffer more irritability and fatigue.

Reduce Stress – Stress is a killer, both literally and figuratively. Continued stress can cause additional health problems such heart attacks and high blood pressure but for women with perimenopause symptoms, stress will just make all your symptoms worse.

Eat a Balanced Diet – Since this is the age when the risk of osteoporosis and heart disease increases, it is important to get enough calcium and fiber in your diet.

Reduce alcohol and caffeine – These can cause hot flashes.

As with most medical conditions, everyone will have varying degrees of severity in their perimenopause symptoms. After consulting with a doctor, you will be able to determine what is the best course of action to take, but if you are willing to make some small changes in your lifestyle, such as eating better, doing yoga, exercising and getting a full 8 hours of sleep you can reduce the possibility of having very severe symptoms.