When it comes to female health, many of us will already be familiar with the term menopause – or the so called ‘change of life’ that occurs when a woman’s periods stop and signal the end of their fertile years. Typically this occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, and is triggered by lower hormone levels, however, symptoms can often occur several years before your periods stop, in a condition known as Perimenopause, which can sometimes affect women in their 30s and very rarely earlier still.
Most people tend to think of the first signs of menopause and perimenopause as being hot flushes, but many woman will actually experience symptoms long before this – even if they don’t always recognise them.
According to the NHS, menopause and perimenopause can cause a variety of symptoms like anxiety, mood swings, brain fog and irregular periods that can “have a big impact on your life, including relationships and work.”
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Yet there is help at hand if you’re suffering and a quick visit to your GP can often provide answers and some relief to help you combat the unwanted symptoms and learnt o manage them.
So what are the symptoms of Perimenopause?
Some lesser-known early warning symptoms of perimenopause may include:
- Menstrual flooding
- Vaginal flora issues
- Urinary tract infections
- Anxiety, low mood or depression
- Cognitive challenges
- Disturbed sleep
- Energy issues
- Thyroid issues
- Heart symptoms such as palpitations or shortness of breath
- Skin changes such as dryer skin with more pimples, itching or rashes
- Exercise feels like a chore
- Joint issues
- More prone to illness and infections
- Libido and sex drive is affected
Other symptoms include:
- Hot flushes
- Headaches and migraines that are worse than usual
- changed body shape and weight gain
The symptoms can last for months and sometimes even years and can even change overtime gradually getting better or worse.
The NHS explained: “Hot flushes and night sweats may improve, and then you may develop low mood and anxiety. But some symptoms, such as joint pain and vaginal dryness, can carry on after your periods stop.”
What causes perimenopause?
Menopause and perimenopause are a normal phase in life, but may occur earlier in some women than in others due to a variety of different reasons which include the following:
- Smokers – Menopause tends to occur one to two years earlier in women that smoke.
- Genetics – Women with a family history of early menopause may experience early menopause themselves.
- Cancer treatment – If you have undergone treatment for cancer in the past with chemotherapy or radiotherapy, this has been linked to early menopause in some studies.
- Hysterectomy – A hysterectomy that removes your uterus, but not your ovaries, usually doesn’t cause menopause, but while you no longer have periods, your ovaries still produce Oestrogen and the surgery may trigger an earlier than average menopause.
- Stress – Women under a lot of stress may also experience perimenopause earlier, as tress hormones are known to disrupt the normal ovulatory pattern which produces oestrogen and progesterone.
What to do if you have perimenopause symptoms
Most women won’t initially seek any medical help when they begin to experience perimenopausal symptoms – simply because most either don’t notice or simply tolerate them. As the symptoms come on gradually, many may not even twig that they’re connected to the same overall umbrella of hormone fluctuations of the menopausal transition.
However, if the symptoms are beginning to negatively impact on your life, then it’s important to know that help and support is available from your GP and that you don’t have to continue to suffer in silence.
In addition to medical support from your GP, which may include things such as Hormone Replacement Therapy, there are also a number of lifestyle changes that may also help to combat symptoms.
The NHS advises to eat well including calcium-rich food like milk and yoghurt, exercise regularly, talk to other people going through the same thing and look after your mental health.
They also advise women not to smoke and to not drink more than the recommended alcohol limit.
For more help and support surrounding menopause and perimenopause, visit Menopause Support or visit your GP.
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
