Perimenopause is definitely having its moment right now. From podcasts to TV commercials to social media, perimenopause is everywhere. Chances are if you’re reading this blog, you’ve been hearing about perimenopause, but what is it? When does it start? Do I need to be concerned with the way I am feeling? As a woman, you’re going to go through perimenopause. So, let’s talk about it and get the facts from an expert. I reached out to Dr. Amberly Davidson with The Christ Hospital Physicians – Obstetrics & Gynecology. She is a certified menopause provider and received her menopause practitioner certification through the North American Menopause Society.
How do you define perimenopause?
I’ve always thought that perimenopause was the time of life before menopause, but I wondered how it was defined by a doctor. Dr. Davidson said, “Perimenopause is typically defined as the time around menopause or leading up to menopause. Menopause has occurred when a woman’s menstrual cycle has stopped for a full 12 months.” I’ve seen some of my own social media feeds suggest that perimenopause can start with symptoms as young as 37. And that could be true, but Dr. Davidson explained, “The average age of menopause in the US is about 51 years old. Perimenopause can begin up to 7-10 years prior to that.”
What are the symptoms of perimenopause?
Hot flashes, mood swings, fatigue, heart palpitations and more have been listed in the media as being signs of perimenopause. But is that true? Dr. Davidson says symptoms “are quite varied from person to person. Common symptoms are irregular menstrual cycles, hot flashes and night sweats, sleep disturbances, mood changes—such as anxiety or depression—brain fog, weight gain, fatigue.”
When to seek help
That pretty much sums up how most women feel all of the time, but you can find help reducing some of these symptoms. Dr. Davidson says, “There is not a single right answer for reducing symptoms. Treatment decisions need to be tailored for each individual patient based on their specific complaints. For some women, this may include hormone replacement therapy, while for others, a contraceptive pill or IUD may be the best option. Some women may also benefit from antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications in place of or in addition to the hormonal options. If at any point you are bothered by your symptoms, then it is appropriate to seek care. Symptoms can certainly be disruptive, which affects quality of life and performance at work, and you do not have to ‘deal with it.’ Make sure to seek care if you are suffering with heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, which can also happen during perimenopause.”