Perimenopause
Think of perimenopause as the gradual transition leading up to menopause. It’s the period when your body starts preparing to stop having periods for good. You might also hear it called the menopausal transition.
When it starts is different for everyone. Most women begin to notice changes in their 40s, but it can start as early as their 30s or as late as their 50s.
During this time, your levels of oestrogen—the main female hormone—go on a bit of a rollercoaster, rising and falling unpredictably. These hormonal shifts are what cause your periods to become longer or shorter and more irregular. You might also start to experience classic symptoms like hot flashes, trouble sleeping, and vaginal dryness.
Perimenopause officially ends once you’ve gone a full 12 months without a period. At that point, you’ve reached menopause.
When it starts is different for everyone. Most women begin to notice changes in their 40s, but it can start as early as their 30s or as late as their 50s.
During this time, your levels of oestrogen—the main female hormone—go on a bit of a rollercoaster, rising and falling unpredictably. These hormonal shifts are what cause your periods to become longer or shorter and more irregular. You might also start to experience classic symptoms like hot flashes, trouble sleeping, and vaginal dryness.
Perimenopause officially ends once you’ve gone a full 12 months without a period. At that point, you’ve reached menopause.
The physical and emotional rollercoaster
The changes your body goes through can be big or small. Here’s a look at what you might expect.
Periods go haywire
As your ovulation becomes less regular, your periods can get a bit wild. The time between them might get longer or shorter, your flow could be heavier or lighter, and you might skip some altogether.
- Early perimenopause: You might notice your cycle length changes by a week or more.
- Late perimenopause: You might go 60 days or more between periods.
- Important: If you start bleeding after you’ve gone a full year without a period, you should see a doctor right away, as it could be a sign of another health issue.
Hot flashes
This is a sudden feeling of intense heat that spreads through your body. How often they happen, how long they last, and how strong they are vary from person to person.
Sleep trouble
Night sweats (hot flashes that happen at night) can wake you up, but you might find your sleep is disturbed even without them. Hormonal changes themselves can mess with your sleep patterns.
Mood swings
Fluctuating hormones can lead to mood swings, feeling more irritable, or even a higher risk of depression. If you’ve previously struggled with things like PMS, postnatal depression, or anxiety, you might find these emotional symptoms are more intense.
Heart and cholesterol health
Oestrogen also helps manage your cholesterol. As levels drop, your “bad” (LDL) cholesterol can go up, and your “good” (HDL) cholesterol can go down. This shift can increase your risk of heart disease.
Vaginal and bladder changes
As oestrogen levels drop, the tissues in your vagina can become thinner, drier, and less elastic. This can make sex uncomfortable or painful. You might also feel a burning sensation when you wee and find you’re more prone to urinary or vaginal infections. Some women also notice they need to wee more often or might leak a little when they cough or sneeze.
Changes in fertility
Because you’re not ovulating regularly, it becomes harder to get pregnant. However, it’s not impossible! You can still get pregnant as long as you’re having periods, so it’s important to keep using contraception until you’ve officially gone a full year without one.
Your sex drive might change
Your interest in sex might change during this time. Some women find their libido drops, while others, perhaps feeling freer without the worry of pregnancy, find they enjoy sex even more. If you have any concerns, don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor.
Bone health
Oestrogen plays a key role in keeping your bones strong. As your levels decrease, you start to lose bone density more quickly. This increases your risk of developing osteoporosis, a condition that makes your bones more fragile and likely to break.
When should you Ssee a doctor?
Some women sail through perimenopause with very few symptoms, while others find it really challenging. Because the symptoms can appear slowly over time, you might not even realise they’re all connected at first.
If your symptoms are getting in the way of you living your life, or you’re just worried, it’s always a good idea to get in touch and chat with us. Book an appointment to discuss your symptoms in detail. We can talk you through your options and offer support.