Perimenopause is a period when your ovaries begin to produce less estrogen, leading to symptoms like heavy periods and painful ovulation.
Perimenopause can bring on mood swings, anxiety and weight gain – symptoms which can have a major effect on your quality of life.
1. Mood Swings
Mood swings can be one of the most challenging menopause symptoms to manage. They often come out of nowhere and feel overwhelmed.
Thankfully, most of these symptoms will subside once your hormonal system has been stabilized. However, if they worsen or persist, you should speak with a healthcare provider.
In certain circumstances, medication may help. Birth control pills such as Loestrin or Alesse can provide emotional stability while suppressing heavy bleeding; antidepressants like escitalopram (Lexapro) also have potential benefits.
Moods can shift rapidly during this period, so it’s important to take control of your emotions. A nutritious diet, regular exercise and an encouraging network of friends are all great ways to stay optimistic.
2. Anxiety
Anxiety is a common symptom of perimenopause, as the hormone fluctuations associated with menopause can affect brain circuits sensitive to stress. If you’re experiencing body sensations or thoughts that cause anxiety, speak to your doctor to determine if it’s related to perimenopause.
Don’t wait for anxiety symptoms to worsen – get help now for both mental and physical wellbeing.
3. Hot Flashes
Hot flashes, also known as vasomotor symptoms, are a common menopause-related symptom that can cause an intense heat that spreads across your face, neck and chest.
These episodes usually last between two and thirty minutes, with sweating, flushing and a rapid heartbeat as common symptoms.
If hot flashes are interfering with your daily life, speak to your doctor. Medication may provide some relief.
Hormone therapy, which replenishes hormones your ovaries stop producing after menopause, is the most popular treatment for hot flashes. Other medications may also help alleviate symptoms.
Women who don’t qualify for hormonal treatments have nonhormonal options such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and certain anti-seizure drugs. Acupuncture and exercise may also help alleviate some symptoms.
4. Weight Gain
Perimenopause causes changes to the levels of estrogen in women’s bodies, leading to changes in weight.
Women often gain weight during this period, increasing their risk for heart disease and osteoporosis. To reduce your risk, make sure to eat healthily and exercise regularly.
Perimenopause often presents with irregular periods. If your cycle has changed to include heavier or lighter periods, changes to the timing and nature of your menstrual bleeding, or you find that you need to change pads or tampons every hour, speak to your healthcare provider.
Some women may experience moodiness or irritability around this time. Scientists don’t know why this occurs, but it could be due to stress, family history or other causes. It is best to speak with your primary care physician or mental health professional about what you’re experiencing.
5. Sleep Issues
Sleep is essential for overall wellbeing, yet many women struggle with sleeping during perimenopause due to hormonal changes and irregular menstruations that disrupt their natural sleeping pattern.
Your sleep patterns may include waking up too early, having trouble falling asleep, and feeling fatigued when you should be rested. Night sweats and other perimenopausal sleep disturbances can also interfere with getting enough rest each night.
Hormone changes, such as the decrease of estrogen and progesterone, can impact your sleep cycle. This could result in sleep disruptions like insomnia – a chronic difficulty falling or staying asleep that occurs more than three nights per week. Insomnia may cause headaches, memory problems and feelings of anxiety; it also raises your risk for heart disease and diabetes.
