These are some of the questions I get asked: “What happens during perimenopause?”
When does perimenopause start?
Perimenopause typically starts several years before menopause, usually in a woman’s 40s. But it can start earlier or later depending on your family history, so your mum or grandmother is an important part of the picture. It’s good to ask them how their menopause was.
The length of perimenopause can vary from woman to woman, and it can last for several years before menopause happens.
During perimenopause, a woman’s body produces less estrogen and progesterone, leading to changes in her monthly cycle and other physical and emotional symptoms. It’s essential for women to be aware of the signs and symptoms of perimenopause so they can manage any discomfort or seek help. I can’t stress how important this is to look for help because you are dealing with your health. So please don’t take any chances.
What happens during perimenopause?
During perimenopause, the ovaries gradually produce less estrogen and progesterone, which can cause changes in the monthly cycle. Our bodies need estrogen and progesterone for the female reproductive system to function correctly.
The decline in these hormones during perimenopause can cause irregularities in your period. Such as shorter or longer cycles, heavier or lighter bleeding, or skipped periods.
Some women may experience more severe symptoms, such as heavy bleeding, it’s important to get this checked out because this isn’t normal.
What type of symptoms could I get during perimenopause?
Some of the most common physical symptoms of perimenopause include hot flashes, which are sudden feelings of warmth or feeling very hot all over the body or can affect one part of the body like the back, chest, or face.
You can also experience a hot flash with sweating; also night sweats, which are hot flashes that occur during the night and can disrupt sleep.
Vaginal dryness can cause discomfort or pain in the vaginal area and cause pain during intercourse.
Sleep disturbances can include difficulty falling or staying asleep.
Other physical symptoms that may occur during perimenopause include headaches, joint pain, fatigue, and urinary incontinence. These symptoms can vary in severity and frequency between women.
Please as you read this don’t be scared or afraid there is so much you can do to help with the symptoms. For example, taking vitamin B6 can help with hot flashes
Can perimenopause affect our moods?
How you approach midlife and menopause has an impact on your emotion. How you feel mentally is one of the most, if not the most important aspects of your health and vitality. The way you feel in your head will allow you to feel good in your body.
Emotional symptoms such as mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and depression. These symptoms can be related to the hormonal changes that occur during perimenopause, as well as other factors such as stress and lifestyle changes. Women may experience mood swings or emotional instability during perimenopause, feeling sudden bouts of sadness, anger, or frustration without any apparent reason. In some cases, these emotional symptoms may interfere with daily activities or your job and relationships.
Lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, a healthy diet, and stress management techniques can also help improve emotional well-being during perimenopause.
Let’s look at the different types of stresses on the body.
Stress can come from various different sources and can affect women in different ways.
Work-related stress: working long hours, tight deadlines, job insecurity, difficult colleagues, and a demanding boss.
Family-related stress: Arguments with partners or children, financial problems, looking after elderly relatives, doing housework, cooking, shopping, etc.
Environmental stress: Exposure to noise, pollution, traffic, and natural disasters, can cause anxiety and discomfort.
Health-related stress: Chronic illness, pain, disability, and the fear of becoming ill.
Lifestyle-related stress: Unhealthy eating habits, lack of exercise, substance abuse, smoking, alcohol, and other lifestyle factors that can impact overall well-being.
Social stress: Conflicts with friends or loved ones, discrimination, harassment, and other social pressures that can cause emotional distress.
I can’t stress how important it is to recognize the sources of stress in our lives and take steps to manage them effectively. This can include practicing relaxation techniques, getting regular exercise, seeking support from friends or family, seeking professional help, and making positive changes to our daily habits and routines.
I know that it sounds simple but the simple things can also be the hardest to achieve, especially if you don’t want to face the world and hide away under the duet.
What are the health risks during perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the period of time leading up to menopause, which is marked by a decline in estrogen levels in the body. This hormonal shift can increase the risk of several health conditions, including osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.
Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become weak and brittle, increasing the risk of fractures. Estrogen helps to maintain bone density, so the decline in estrogen levels during perimenopause can lead to a loss of bone mass and an increased risk of osteoporosis.
Also, your body requires a wide range of nutrients to function properly, including calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamin D. When these nutrients are not available in sufficient quantities from what you eat, the body may take them from other sources, including the bones. This can lead to a loss of bone density and an increased risk of osteoporosis and other bone-related health problems.
Cardiovascular disease is also a risk during perimenopause. Estrogen has a protective effect on the cardiovascular system, helping to maintain healthy blood vessels and cholesterol levels. When estrogen levels decline, women may experience an increase in blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and other risk factors for heart disease.
If you look at your diet and make sure that you are eating nutrient-dense foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. This can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. This type of diet can provide the nutrients and fiber needed to support overall health and can also help to maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Other health conditions that may become more common during perimenopause include vaginal dryness, urinary incontinence, mood changes, and sleep disturbances.
Please, it’s important for you to be aware of these potential health risks and to take steps to maintain your health during this time. This can include adopting a healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, getting enough sleep, and discussing any concerns with a GP.
THE BIG TAKEAWAY – PLEASE DON’T MESS WITH YOUR HEALTH!!!
Making small changes today can lead to big improvements in your health and overall well-being. It’s important to set achievable goals and take small steps towards a healthier lifestyle, rather than trying to make drastic changes all at once.
Setting three simple tasks for the day, such as going for a short walk, taking a few minutes to relax and read, and connecting with a friend or loved one, is a great way to start. These small steps can help to build momentum and create positive habits that can lead to bigger changes over time.
At the end of the day, it’s important to acknowledge the progress you’ve made and give yourself credit for your efforts. Celebrating your successes, no matter how small can help to motivate you to continue making positive changes in your life.
So, if you’re looking to improve your health and well-being, remember to start small, set achievable goals, and celebrate your successes along the way. And don’t forget to give yourself that big hug!
If you have any questions on perimenopause, let me know in the comments below. I have been through this myself.
Love Lucy x
Thank you for this well written article Lucy. I am 53 this year and everyone keeps telling me how bad menopause is going to be so it was a relief to read an article with a positive take on this cycle of life. The only symptom I have so far is the not sleeping part but I have always battled in this department so not sure if this counts.
I will try and embrace whatever comes and hope that it will be a smooth journey over to the next phase of life.
Hi Michel
Thanks for sharing, sleep can be difficult for a lot of women. My best advice is don’t battle sleep don’t make it the enemy and get annoyed with yourself. If you wake at 3 in the morning and get angry when you look at the clock and go I have only 3 hours left of sleep this raises the cortisol levels and it takes two hours for cortisol to settle down then you fall asleep to be woken what feels like 5 minutes later by your alarm. Have a plan if you wake up like deep breathing, reading, or listening to music but all the time you are lying down in bed your body is resting. Look after yourself.
Well, I appreciate how well you described the perimenopause period. I learned a lot from your post. I think it’s very important to know how perimenopause can affect our moods and the physical aspects of our bodies. if we know our bodies better we can act better in hard situations. I recommend everyone read this post and I will share this post with my friends.
Thank you Liam for the comments glad I described it well
Hi Lucy! As a woman who is turning 40 this year, I found this article about perimenopause very helpful. The information about the physical and emotional symptoms, as well as the health risks associated with perimenopause, was eye-opening. It’s a reminder for me to prioritize self-care, manage stress, and make positive changes to my lifestyle to ensure my overall well-being during this stage of life.
I have a question: What are some practical ways to manage work-related stress during perimenopause, considering it can have an impact on our overall well-being?
Thank you for sharing this informative article!
Hi Mike there are lots of things you can do for work-related stress I think the most important one is to not let work impact your own time the way your time is not allowed to impact work. Make sure you take wellness breaks throughout your working day, also do some deep breathing take 4 to 5 deep breaths in so breathe in something you like the smell of and hold for 5 then breathe out what is stressing you for the count of 5. This is a great way of energizing the body supporting adrenals and DHEA. Take care of yourself.