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The Start of Perimenopause

Perimenopause describes that period in a woman's life when she is transitioning into menopause. Fundamentally this is pre-menopause. Keep reading to learn what how long it lasts and relief for the condition.

  1. What is Perimenopause?

    • At this time a woman's ovaries are beginning to produce less estrogen, and her periods are becoming irregular. Uncomfortable symptoms include, hot flashes which can feel like waves of heat flowing over the body. These can result in a light sweat or even a heavy sweat or drenching. The hot flashes can even be severe enough to wake a woman from her sleep or prevent her from falling asleep, so sleep deprivation is often a result of this condition. This can lead to fatigue and irritability. Other uncomfortable physical symptoms include breast tenderness, possible urine leakage and a need to urinate more frequently. Unfortunately, vaginal dryness can also occur at this time, leading to discomfort during sex, which also accompanies a decreased desire for sex. Other symptoms include hair loss, weight gain and dry eyes. In fact this can be a time of extreme emotional distress, causing fuzzy thinking and difficulty in focusing.

    How Long Does Perimenopause Last?

    • Perimenopause ends a year after menopause begins, and menopause begins when a woman has gone a full year with no periods. Depending on the woman, perimenopause can last any where from a few months to ten years, but the average length is four years.

    Medical Relief for Perimenopause

    • Different women respond to different treatments. Here are some that you might want to try. Low dose birth control birth pills may work for some, or the birth control skin patch or the vaginal ring. Progesterone injections may even work. It is important, however that you talk with your doctor about these options to see which is right for you. Other treatments might include antidepressants for irritability and mood swings. In the sexual department, lubricants can help with vaginal dryness, and counseling might help with the decreased sex drive.

    Non-medical Relief for Perimenopause

    • Staying healthy and taking good care of your body can also help. Exercising will help as will not smoking, not overdoing the alcohol, eating a healthy well balanced diet and getting plenty of rest. Generally making healthy choices and listening to your body's signals will help ease the discomfort you are feeling at this stage of your life.

    Emotional Survival

    • My suggestion to you if you are going through this distressing time is to listen to your body, take care of it, and if you can, maintain a good sense of humor. Talk with other women who have gone through this stage, seek out support from them and from others in the same situation. It will help, and you'll see there is light at the end of the end of the tunnel to this difficult and trying time.

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