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Common Signs Of Perimenopause

A woman's hormones change as she ages, and eventually, she will reach the point where she is in menopause. But becoming menopausal does not happen overnight. The period of time prior to menopause is called perimenopause. Some of the symptoms of menopause can be uncomfortable, so if you suspect that you may be perimenopausal, it is important to talk to your gynecologist to learn about your treatment options. The key is to recognize some of the symptoms of perimenopause so you can make an appointment with your gynecologist and have your hormone levels tested. Some of the most common signs of perimenopause include the following:

Menstruation Changes

One of the most common symptoms of perimenopause is changes in your menstruation. Menstrual changes during perimenopause can vary from woman to another. Some women may begin having shorter, lighter periods, while others develop longer, heavier periods. It is also not uncommon for periods to become irregular and hard to track, even in women who have had very regular cycles for their entire adult life. If you're experiencing menstruation changes due to the onset of perimenopause, your gynecologist may recommend using birth control pills to make your period more regular.

Issues With Vaginal Dryness

Estrogen is responsible for keeping the vaginal canal lubricated during sexual intercourse, and that is one of the hormones that begin to decline during perimenopause. Thus, many women experiencing perimenopause tend to have issues with vaginal dryness, which can make sexual intercourse less enjoyable. Luckily, vaginal dryness associated with perimenopause does not have to put a damper on being intimate with your partner. There are several options, such as estrogen cream, that your gynecologist can prescribe to help with the issue.

Mood Swings

Many women experience mood swings around the time of the start of their menstrual period, but perimenopause can make the issue happen more often. Hormones can fluctuate greatly during perimenopause, which can cause changes in a woman's mood from one day to the next. Hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills may be suggested to help keep your hormone levels more stable.

Sudden Hot Flashes

One of the more uncomfortable symptoms of perimenopause is hot flashes. When a hot flash occurs, a woman may start to feel very hot despite the surrounding air temperature and may become drenched in sweat. It is believed that hot flashes are a result of rapidly changing hormone levels. If you suddenly begin to experience unexplained hot flashes, speak with your gynecologist. 


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