What is perimenopause??
Perimenopause is the period of time that comes before menopause. Menopause itself marks the end of a woman's reproductive years, and it is defined as the point at which a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months—meaning no more menstrual bleeding. In the United States, the average age for menopause is 51. Perimenopause is the period of time leading up to menopause and can last for several years. Perimenopause typically starts in a woman's late 30s to early 40s, although it can begin earlier or later. It's important to remember that perimenopause is a natural phase of a woman's life and may not involve any negative symptoms.
While natural, perimenopause is a period of time characterized by fluctuating hormone levels. Many women experience unpleasant symptoms as their bodies are going through these changes. Some common symptoms are: mood swings, increased irritability and rage, tearfulness, hot flashes, night sweats, brain fog, memory issues, word searching, vaginal dryness, skin complaints, joint aches and pains, fatigue, weight gain (especially around the middle), decreased libido, heavy bleeding and missed periods. These symptoms are unpleasant and unwanted to say the least.
Treatments for perimenopausal symptoms can vary. Many women in prior generations were scared off of using hormonal therapies for fear of increased breast cancer risk. In 1993, as menopause was becoming a hot topic, the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), a national long-term study on the possible benefits of hormone treatment for postmenopausal women was launched in the US. But, by July 2002, the premature termination of the estrogen-progesterone arm of the study was announced. The reason given was an apparent rise in the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, blood clots and breast cancer. Sadly, the WHI study was really looking at a completely different set of women, those aged 50-79. The aim of the study was to figure out if this type of HRT could protect women from heart disease and other illnesses. It was not about short-term bioidentical HRT for treatment of symptoms in women in their 40s and 50s. Many women (and their doctors) heard “cancer” and went off HRT immediately.
Now we know that the results of this study were full of flaws. HRT is once again on the table and recommended for the treatment of these symptoms.
During perimenopause, a woman's body undergoes various hormonal changes, primarily involving a decrease in the production of estrogen and progesterone by the ovaries. These changes can lead to a variety of physical and emotional symptoms like we mentioned before.
It's important to note that the symptoms and severity of perimenopause can vary widely from woman to woman. Some women may experience only mild symptoms, while others may have more pronounced and disruptive changes. If the symptoms are causing significant discomfort or interference with daily life, functional medicine doctors and nurse practitioners can offer various treatment options, including hormone therapy, lifestyle adjustments, and medications, to help manage the symptoms.
If you have concerns about perimenopause or symptoms related to perimenopause or menopause, consulting a functional medicine healthcare provider can provide you with personalized guidance and support. Become a Tendwell member to get the help you need.
