You may notice signs of progression toward menopause, such as menstrual irregularity, sometime in your 40s. But some women notice changes as early as their mids. The level of estrogen — the main female hormone — in your body rises and falls unevenly during perimenopause. Your menstrual cycles may lengthen or shorten, and you may begin having menstrual cycles in which your ovaries don't release an egg ovulate.
You may also experience menopause-like symptoms, such as hot flashes, sleep problems and vaginal dryness. Treatments are available to help ease these symptoms. Once you've gone through 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, you've officially reached menopause, and the perimenopause period is over. Throughout the menopausal transition, some subtle — and some not-so-subtle — changes in your body may take place. You might experience:. Some women seek medical attention for their perimenopausal symptoms.
But others either tolerate the changes or simply don't experience symptoms severe enough to need attention. Because symptoms may be subtle and come on gradually, you may not realize at first that they're all connected to the same thing — hormone fluctuations of the menopausal transition. If you have symptoms that interfere with your life or well-being, such as hot flashes, mood swings or changes in sexual function that concern you, see your doctor.
As you go through perimenopause, your body's production of estrogen and progesterone, key female hormones, rises and falls. Many of the changes you experience during perimenopause are a result of decreasing estrogen. Menopause is a normal phase in life. But it may occur earlier in some women than in others.
Although not always conclusive, some evidence suggests that certain factors may make it more likely that you start perimenopause at an earlier age, including:.
Irregular periods are a hallmark of perimenopause. Most of the time this is normal and nothing to be concerned about.
However, see your doctor if:. Signs such as these may mean there's a problem with your reproductive system that requires diagnosis and treatment. Perimenopause care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Perimenopause means "around menopause" and refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years.
African-American women had a longer duration than white women. Vaginal dryness, burning, and itchiness also occurs as a result of estrogen deficiency. The difference with this symptom is that it tends to get worse as women get older.
In fact, only between one quarter and one third of women in perimenopause or early postmenopause experience vaginal dryness. There are other symptoms that may begin during perimenopause and persist throughout postmenopause.
Although, while many women attribute these symptoms to menopause, the timing may be coincidental. In other words, it's tricky knowing whether these symptoms are truly from a lack of estrogen in the body or from the natural processes that go along with aging. Like puberty and pregnancy , perimenopause begins and ends at different times for each woman. There are so many factors influencing the timing and experience of perimenopause that every woman will write her own story.
Genetics, lifestyle, diet, stress, general health, and cultural perspective are all elements of when and how dramatically you will experience menopause-related symptoms. That being said, the vast majority of women will experience their "menopause" in a two- to year window of time, probably from their mid-forties to their mid-fifties.
But even if you begin much earlier or end later, you may still be having your own version of a healthy menopause. If your menopause-related symptoms cause you anxiety or negatively impact your quality of life or daily functioning, discuss them with your healthcare provider. There are a number of therapies out there to help you cope with these uncomfortable symptoms including both hormonal and non-hormonal medications, as well as alternative therapies.
Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Harvard Health Publishing. Perimenopause: Rocky road to menopause. Updated August 24, Santoro N. Perimenopause: From Research to Practice. J Womens Health. Cleveland Clinic. Menopause, Perimenopause and Postmenopause.
Updated January 25, Management of Menopausal Symptoms. If vaginal bleeding occurs after menopause, a person should also seek medical attention.
Most people continue to enjoy a healthy life throughout menopause, however. They can ensure this further by maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet, exercising, and checking in with a doctor regularly.
Menopause blogs provide information and insight into what life is like before, during, and after menopause. We have selected the best menopause blogs.
In this article, we examine whether there is a link between menopause and an underactive thyroid, and how the two may affect each other. Fresh analysis of trial data finds that a new class of drug rapidly reduces severity and frequency of hot flashes and other symptoms in menopausal…. Menopause and pregnancy both involve hormonal changes, and the signs can be similar.
In both cases, menstruation ceases, and there may be other…. Stress and reduced estrogen levels can change…. How long do menopause symptoms last? Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. Share on Pinterest The duration of menopause can vary from person to person. When does menopause start? Treatment options. Outlook after menopause. Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes.
Adolescent depression: Could school screening help? Related Coverage. The 10 best menopause blogs Menopause blogs provide information and insight into what life is like before, during, and after menopause. Is there a link between menopause and an underactive thyroid? Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph. New drug could reduce hot flashes 'by 72 percent' Fresh analysis of trial data finds that a new class of drug rapidly reduces severity and frequency of hot flashes and other symptoms in menopausal… READ MORE.
Is it menopause or pregnancy?
0コメント