What is perimenopause and menopause?
Menopause is a normal life transition for women. It is when periods stop due to lower hormones. Women are in menopause when they have not had a period for 12 months. This usually affects women from the ages of 45 to 55, but can happen earlier.
Perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause. It usually starts between the ages of 40 to 44 but can begin as early as the mid-30s or later. During this time, women have symptoms of the menopause, but your periods have not completely stopped. This phase can last for several years.
The symptoms of perimenopause and menopause can impact women in a number of different aspects of life, including physical health and mental wellbeing, family, work and relationships.
Symptoms of perimenopause and menopause
Symptoms are caused by fluctuating hormone levels experienced during perimenopause and menopause. Symptoms can be different for everyone, but here are the common symptoms.
Physical Health
- Sexual health: Reduced sex drive, vaginal dryness, pain during sex, and discomfort
- Body changes: Weight gain, changed body shape, dry and itchy skin
- Pain and discomfort: Headaches, muscle and joint pain
- Sleep issues: Difficulty getting to sleep and staying asleep
- Vasomotor symptoms: Hot flushes, night sweats, and heart beating quickly/strongly
- Other: Fatigue, tiredness, urinary symptoms, dry eyes and gum and mouth problems
Mental Health
- Cognitive issues: Brain fog, difficulty concentrating, and memory problems
- Mood changes: Anxiety, mood swings, low self-esteem, and low mood/depression
- Emotional distress: Panic attacks, irritability and mood swings
Everyone’s experience is different – some women transition smoothly and others experience a significant impact on everyday life. If you have noticed changes to your periods and are experiencing symptoms that are affecting your quality of life, then it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor or a healthcare professional. However, there are some things you can do to help manage your symptoms.