As a woman, you’ve come to accept the fact that your menstrual cycle is a major part of your life. The hormonal fluctuations that come with it mean you had best be prepared for many ups and downs. When you face your approaching period on a monthly basis, you know that you can expect an emotional rollercoaster. The same holds true with nine months of pregnancy. There may be many quiet moments in between when your hormones are balanced. However, the cycle will begin all over again as your body prepares for menstruation. You’ll go through this pattern from your teen years until sometime after your forties.
This is the point when you need to prepare for the final stage. Perimenopause leads up to menopause, the point in your life when your reproductive system shuts down. Recognize the symptoms of perimenopause so that you can be prepared.
What to Expect with Perimenopause
Perimenopause is your warning that menopause is on its way. It usually begins in your forties, although it can be earlier or later for some women. It is caused by a drop in reproductive hormones. This is the point when you will have more noticeable fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone levels. You can expect your emotions to go up and down like a yo-yo. You may experience hot flashes that can occur at any time. Night sweats are common and can wake you from a sound sleep as you find yourself drenched with sweat. Unexplained weight gain is another problem as your metabolism slows down. You may experience insomnia.
One of the most noticeable symptoms of perimenopause is inconsistency with your menstrual cycle. Your periods may become longer or shorter. You may skip a month from time to time or a string of months. You’ll know that you are in full menopause when your period has stopped for an entire year. Menopause typically sets in some time after you are 50, but it could happen earlier. Every woman is unique.
What Can You Do About Perimenopause?
You can’t stop perimenopause, but you can do some things to ease your symptoms. At South Lake OB/GYN, our team can perform an exam and run tests to make sure you are in fact experiencing perimenopause. When there are issues with vaginal bleeding that are not the norm, it’s always a good idea to see a medical professional in order to rule out any other serious problems that are going on.
If perimenopause is the culprit, there are many steps you can take to make this stage of your life go more smoothly. Talk with our team at our office in Clermont about all of your options. Contact us today to schedule your consultation to learn more.