Perimenopause is the period before you go into actual menopause. This is a time when your body stops producing as much estrogen as it normally would. Most women go into perimenopause when they are in their early 40s. This being said, some women can suffer from perimenopause when they are in their 30s. Often times, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can help relieve the symptoms of perimenopause. Let’s talk about the symptoms below.
Hot Flashes
You may start getting hot flashes and night sweats if you are going into perimenopause. The reason why you are getting so hot is that you are not producing the estrogen that you did in your teens and 20s. The best way to plan for the hot flashes is to dress in layers so you can remove clothing when you have a hot flash.
Incontinence
You may also start to have sudden urges to go to the bathroom or minor urinary incontinence. As your estrogen levels decrease, the muscles in your pelvis loosen. You can help prevent urinary incontinence by doing Kegel exercises. These exercises strengthen the pelvic floor.
Insomnia
We mentioned above that you may suffer from night sweats, and these horrible flashes of heat can make it difficult for you to sleep. In addition, your progesterone level is also going down, and this can cause insomnia. Many women do not sleep as well in their 40s as they did in their 20s.
Irregular Periods
Because of the fluctuations in your hormones, perimenopause may cause irregular periods. In rare cases, it may temporarily regulate the periods of women who have irregular periods all the time. You may find it harder to determine when your period is going to start, so make sure you always have supplies with you.
Moodiness
You may also find yourself feeling moody and overly emotional at times during perimenopause. This condition continues into menopause for many women. Many women suffer from depression throughout the menopause process. If you are feeling depressed, call us right away.
Vaginal Dryness
Finally, you may suffer from vaginal dryness that makes sex uncomfortable. Again, this is due to the reduction in the hormones that your body is producing. You can try a lubricant to see if this resolves the problem. If it doesn’t, give us a call to schedule an appointment.
We will discuss the various treatment options for you to help you with the symptoms of perimenopause. This can include bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.
