What is perimenopause and its symptoms?

Verified by Dr. Vaishali Sakpal Rane (MBBS, DGO Obstetrics and Gynaecology, DNB Obstetrics and Gynaecology)

Women become accustomed to their periods and the hormonal changes that occur each month over the course of several years and periods. These cycles are frequently fairly regular. Then, around midlife, things start to shift, as we go from our childbearing years toward the end of periods. Perimenopause is a natural transition that generally occurs between the ages of 40 and 50, while it can occur at any age between the late 30s and 60. The changes brought on by perimenopause often catch women off guard.

Perimenopause can extend from one to ten years. The ovaries behave sporadically during this time, and hormonal variations can have a variety of impacts. Heavy menstrual flow, shorter periods, night sweats and hot flashes, interrupted sleep, vaginal dryness, and mood and cognitive disturbances are the most often reported symptoms. Sore breasts, headaches, weight gain, cramps, and urine changes are all common complaints among women. Perimenopause's hormonal highs and lows can produce practically every imagined bleeding pattern. Oftentimes, symptoms include:

ABNORMALLY HEAVY BLEEDING

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During perimenopause, around 25% of women experience severe bleeding (also known as hypermenorrhea, menorrhagia, or flooding).

HOT FLASHES AND NIGHT SWEATS

Hot flashes are well-known symptoms of the menopausal transition. A lady suffering a hot flash will feel warm at first, then very hot and uncomfortable, followed by a cold sensation.

MOOD CHANGES

During perimenopause, many women notice increased irritability, spontaneous aggression, mood swings, new worry, and a decreased capacity to deal.

MEMORY

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Many females claim to be more forgetful, having trouble recalling names or where they placed items.

PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME (PMS)

During early perimenopause, while periods are still regular, some women feel more severe premenstrual discomforts (PMS and/or PMDD), such as cramps, swollen or painful breasts, water retention (bloating), anxiety, sleep disturbance, or irritability.

No two women's perimenopausal experiences are the same; each woman pursues her own path. Perimenopause is the term for the period before menopause. Menopause-like symptoms may appear during perimenopause. The majority of perimenopausal symptoms are controllable. However, if you need assistance controlling your symptoms, medicines and other therapies are available.