Perimenopause - Vital Hormone Clinic

What is perimenopause?

Perimenopause refers to the time leading up to menopause, when a woman's body begins transitioning to permanent infertility. During perimenopause, women may experience changes related to decreasing estrogen levels, like:

• Irregular periods - Periods may become lighter, heavier, longer, or more erratic. Many women have hot flashes, night sweats, trouble sleeping, and mood changes like irritability or anxiety during this transition.
• Vaginal dryness and pain during sex - Declining estrogen thins vaginal tissues. Non-hormonal lubricants or low-dose local estrogen creams can help.
• Bladder issues - Some women experience more urinary tract infections or urine leaks when the pelvic floor weakens.

The duration of perimenopause varies. It starts for some women in their 30s or 40s but most women go through it in their late 40s or early 50s. The transition ends 12 months after a woman's final menstrual period. At that point, she's reached menopause.

Managing perimenopause symptoms:

• Stay active and manage stress through yoga, meditation, etc.
• Avoid smoking/excess alcohol consumption
• Ask your doctor about supplements like black cohosh or low-dose birth control pills/patches.

For significant menopausal symptoms, brief courses of low-dose estrogen/progestin therapy may help. Consider consulting clinics like Vital Hormone Clinic offering customized bioidentical hormone therapy to help women transition through perimenopause smoothly. Their experts can determine the optimal hormone levels for your body through blood tests, helping you find relief.

Perimenopause marks a transition to a new phase of life. Being informed about what to expect and getting proper care when needed makes this change easier to navigate. With some lifestyle adjustments and support, many women are able to manage symptoms effectively. Remember, you don't have to take on perimenopause alone!