{"id":619,"date":"2022-03-02T15:27:55","date_gmt":"2022-03-02T15:27:55","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2023-01-06T16:42:04","modified_gmt":"2023-01-06T16:42:04","slug":"perimenopause-an-overview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/perimenopause-an-overview\/","title":{"rendered":"Perimenopause: An Overview"},"content":{"rendered":"

As a woman, you know that somewhere in the future lurks the state of menopause<\/a>, but perimenopause is talked about much less often.<\/p>\n

Menopause, for many women, doesn\u2019t just mean the end of their monthly periods. For many women, this milestone also symbolizes getting older, and no longer being of childbearing age. This phase of health is an inevitable part of a woman\u2019s life that comes with aging. It\u2019s not a question of if <\/em>it will happen, but more a question of when<\/em> it will happen, as it\u2019s different for every woman. However, menopause doesn\u2019t come in one big-go, like flipping an off switch. Many gradual and complex changes will happen before the complete cessation of your menses.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a whole phase before menopause that hardly anyone mentions until they feel a slew of symptoms. Perimenopause is barely talked about, which is unfortunate, because it can potential affect your sexual function and even fertility. Thus, it is vital to educate yourself on perimenopause symptoms. After all, it\u2019s not unheard of for women as young as their 30s to experience perimenopause. Below is an overview of what you need to know about perimenopause, so you can notice or alleviate any symptoms, and ensure that its onset doesn\u2019t adversely impact your quality of life.<\/p>\n

What Exactly is Perimenopause?<\/h2>\n

Technically speaking, perimenopause translates to \u201caround menopause\u201d or \u201cnear menopause\u201d from its prefix, peri. It refers to the timeframe when your body makes a natural transition to menopause or the end of your reproductive years. Another term for this is menopausal transition or climacteric syndrome<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This condition is not a disorder or a disease. It just marks the onset of menopausal symptoms like hot flashes or vaginal dryness. Moreover, you will experience radical changes in your menstrual cycle, which may also involve physical changes and emotional upheavals. This is due to hormonal fluctuations.<\/p>\n

When perimenopause begins, your levels of the primary female hormone called estrogen rise and fall without any pattern. As a result, your body\u2019s menstrual cycle may become longer or shorter. This means you could have your period every 3 weeks or even twice in one month. Of course, this menstrual irregularity can be very frustrating. Not knowing when your monthly period comes can affect your plans, especially when you have a heavy flow that comes with dysmenorrhea or cramps.<\/p>\n

Other issues you can possibly contend with are PMS symptoms like bloating, mood swings, cravings, and breakouts. You may also feel your sex drive take a hit because of vaginal dryness due to hormone imbalance. Fortunately, this period will not last forever. Once you\u2019ve had 12 consecutive months with no menstruation, the perimenopausal phase is over and you\u2019ve officially reached menopause.<\/p>\n

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When Does Perimenopause Occur?<\/h2>\n

There is no set age when perimenopause starts. Women can start this menopausal transition at any age based on their body\u2019s unique composition. Even genetics can play a role, especially if your grandma, mom, or aunts experienced the early onset of perimenopause and menopause. Typically, studies indicate<\/a> that the sooner you start your period, the sooner the onset of perimenopause and menopause.<\/p>\n

For most women, menstrual irregularity and other symptoms of perimenopause begin at 40s. Other women can notice these changes as early as mid-30s. This period can last for 2 years up to 10 years. During this period, your body does the following:<\/p>\n