Perimenopause, also called the menopause transition, is defined as a temporary state leading to menopause or the cessation of periods. Perimenopause is marked by a surge of various symptoms. In fact, 85% of women will experience perimenopausal symptoms that can last from a few months to several years.
There are at least 34 symptoms associated with perimenopause.
Here are the most common ones:
Hot flashes (on face or all around the body)
Night sweats (like hot flashes, during the night)
Vaginal dryness (can lead to discomfort during sex)
Urinary urgency (sometimes incontinence)
Difficulty sleeping (either falling or staying asleep)
Emotional changes (irritability, mood swings, depression, anxiety)
Dry or itchy skin
Breast tenderness
Worsening of premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Irregular periods
Headaches or migraines
Joint and muscle aches and pains
Change in libido (sex drive)
Difficulty focusing
Brain fog
Heart palpitations
Weight gain (especially around the abdominal area)
Hair Loss or thinning
FatigueBloating or changes in the digestive system
Water retention (puffiness)
Memory loss
Why do women experience these symptoms during perimenopause?
To answer that question, we need to understand the functions of some key hormones in women’s health and what happens as women age to the levels of these hormones.
