Health Center - Perimenopause
Not sure why you're waking in a sweat? Never sure when or if your period will occur or why you bleed so much when it does? You may not think you're old enough for menopause, but perimenopause—the transitional time leading up to menopause—can last several years. Let us help you manage this stage of your life.
Could It Be the Transition to Menopause?
And indeed, for years gynecologists used this hormonal measurement as an indicator of menopause. But it turns out that estrogen levels fluctuate nearly as much as the stock market -- not only day-to-day, but from morning to night. So a single FSH measure, even a couple, is really no indication of menopausal status.
Instead, you're better off evaluating your status by your symptoms. These include:
Hot flashes and night sweats.
Called vasomotor symptoms, we're still not sure what causes them. Somehow, it seems, declining estrogen plays havoc with your body's temperature controls, increasing your core temperature and triggering your body's cooling attempt -- sweating. Hot flashes are the second most common menopause-related symptom, affecting about 75 percent of women. It's also one of the most bothersome. The bad news: In some women, they continue even after menopause itself.-
Irregular periods.
Fluctuating hormone levels mean strange things may be happening to your periods. You may find them coming more often -- every 24 days instead of every 28 days, for example -- or less often. You can even skip several periods in a row only to have them return on a regular basis. You may also find that your periods are considerably heavier or lighter than they used to be, and that they last longer or shorter than they used to. -
Problems sleeping.
We don't really know if fluctuating hormone levels contribute to the sleep problems women say are so common during this time of life. It could be that the night sweats interfere with sleep, or that the stresses of this time of life, including teenaged children, aging parents and career transitions, keep you awake. Regardless, studies find that more women report insomnia as they move through midlife, primarily the type that involves waking up in the middle of the night. -
Headaches.
You may find you're having more headaches, particularly around your period. And if you've always been prone to premenstrual headaches, you may find they're more severe and last longer. The good news? Once you reach menopause, you should experience far fewer headaches. -
Mood swings.
There's good evidence that perimenopausal women experience more irritability, fatigue and "blue moods," during the perimenopausal transition than before. Again, this could be related to shifting hormonal levels, but is more likely related to midlife stressors. If these mood swings become so intense they interfere with your normal life, however, you should seek professional help.
