When it comes to menopause, many people think more about the symptoms. The most well-known of these is usually hot flashes. However, many changes can be experienced between transitions. Symptoms of perimenopause include:

• Irregular periods
• Much more painful or lighter than normal menstrual pains
• The process of premenstrual syndrome, which occurs worse than before the premenstrual periods
• Breast sensitivity
• Kilo
• Hair changes
• Headache
• Loss of sexual desire
• Forgetfulness
• Muscle aches

Menopause symptoms show their symptoms when estrogen levels begin to fall. Some of these are situations that you may encounter even during the perimenopause stage. These:

• Night sweats
• Hot flashes
• Depression
• Anxiety or extreme irritability
• Mood swings
• Insomnia
• Fatigue
• Dry skin
• Vaginal dryness

Comparing premenopause and perimenopause

Perimenopause means “around menopause”. Premenopausal means “before menopause”. Usually, the term perimenopause is used by health professionals to refer to the years before menopause when hormone levels change but menstruation continues.

Menopause begins to occur when the ovaries also release estrogen and other sex hormones. Health experts say that menopause is confirmed after a woman has not menstruated for 12 months in a row. Those who want to get pregnant after this process cannot get pregnant without help, unfortunately.

There is a spectrum of gender and gender. In this article, we will use the term woman to refer to gender. The conditions that lead to menopause are usually processes that take place gradually. Estrogen levels fluctuate over the years before menopause. Over time, there is a deterioration in the menstrual cycle. Then other changes come with it. Before menopause begins, these situations may persist for several years. This time this process is called perimenopause. Some people also call this condition premenopausal. However, perimenopause is the real known name in the medical community.

Some females do not experience perimenopause. Instead, it exists in people who go directly through menopause. Undergoing chemotherapy and having surgery to remove the ovaries, or involving other factors, causes hormone levels to drop quickly and suddenly.

Premenopause vs. perimenopause

People often use the terms premenopausal and perimenopause interchangeably. However, premenopausal is not a scientifically accepted term. The term pre means first. Fairy means around. In some cases, it is also possible to see this term in the form of pre-menopause. However, health experts have used the word perimenopause to refer to the time before menopause. The word premenopausal is not used by health professionals.

One of the two stages of the menopausal stage is perimenopause and the other is postmenopausal. Menopause is the point at which a woman transitions from one stage to another. Most of the time, each stage usually occurs with gradual changes over a few years.

Perimenopause and beyond

It is not possible to determine exactly when perimenopause begins. For many women, this is a process that goes from their mid to late 40s. In general, it takes about 4 years. During this period, the ovaries make reductions in the amount of estrogen they produce.

The menstrual cycle begins to become variable and eventually stops altogether. A woman who has not had any menstruation for 12 months will understand that she has entered menopause when she goes to the specialist. The average age to enter menopause in the United States is 52 years. However, the specified age ranges may vary. It can be considered that perimenopause begins for a woman when her menstrual cycle begins to change by 7 days or more. However, in this case, there is a period of at least once every 3 months. During perimenopause, women can understand through many experiences that they are in this cycle.

• Longer menstrual cycle or shorter menstrual cycle
• Missing periods
• Much lighter or more painful periods
• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Sleep problems

As the symptoms of perimenopause approach, this condition will become even more pronounced. But it will not affect everyone in the same way.

Menopause

The menopausal process occurs when you do not menstruate in any way for 12 months. This is a transitional period rather than a stage. During this period, the ovaries no longer lay eggs. The production of estrogen in the ovaries also decreases significantly. The transition from perimenopause to postmenopause occurs when the woman stops ovulating. It is also pointed out by experts that there is no identifiable moment when this happens. It can only be said that a certain point has been reached during these transitions.

Early postmenopause

Early postmenopause comes when the menstrual cycle does not occur for 12 months. During this time, you may also encounter:

• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Difficulty sleeping
• Reduced sexual reluctance
• Problems with thinking and memory
• Vaginal dryness and possible pain during sex
• Headache
• Changes in mood
• Irregular heartbeat and palpitations
• Pain and stiffness in the joints
• Reduced muscle mass
• More common urinary tract infections

It can begin suddenly in menopause with a sudden change in hormone levels. These conditions can also occur naturally as a result of surgery or other treatment.

Postmenopause

Usually, many women experience the premenopausal state for 3-6 years. After that, they may enter menopause late. Usually, this situation varies in itself. Vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes, may persist for several years. Menopause symptoms may improve over time. But in some changes, there may be long-term situations. Low estrogen and progesterone production may also increase the risk of:

• Weakening of bones
• Heart disease
• Kilo
• Loss of muscle mass

Falling estrogen and progesterone levels can trigger some of these changes. It even plays a role in the aging process.

Treating perimenopause symptoms

At home, with over-the-counter (OTC) and medical treatments, you can help manage both the physical and mental effects of menopause.

Help for hot flashes

Hot flashes occur when hormonal factors affect the circulatory system. These are known as vasomotor symptoms. Ways to deal with it are:

• Stay away from spicy foods, hot drinks, and overheated rooms.
• Breathe deeply and slowly.
• Prefer loose and layered clothing that is easy to remove.
• You can have fans near you, especially at night.
• When hot flashes occur, you can consume cold liquids.

Hot flashes usually last 1-2 years. However, it is the case in cases that last 10 years and more. The survival rate without treatment is up to 7.4 years. But for some women, it may remain a problem that never goes away.

Oral birth control pills

Irregular periods, excessive bleeding, and cramps are some common conditions during perimenopause. Taking a low-dose oral birth control pill can help you manage this process. At the same time, according to a 2018 review, taking combined oral birth control pills is one of the situations that can help reduce the risk.

• Irregular periods
• Too much blood coming in during menstruation
• Hot flashes
• Ovarian, endometrial, and colorectal cancers

There is also evidence that the risk of breast cancer, blood clots, and heart attack may also increase. At this point, it is more correct for women to ask the appropriate questions to their health professionals.

Medical treatments

Hormone treatments are one of the methods that help some women manage hot flashes and other symptoms. There is a combination of estrogen and progestin in them. In some options, estrogen is also combined with other drugs. Hormone therapy pills, patches, vaginal rings, sprays, and more are also included.

A healthcare professional also looks at the woman’s medical history and symptoms before deciding if hormone therapy is appropriate for her patient. The lowest dose is offered whenever possible. Because hormone therapy can also have negative sides.

For example, it is possible to have an increased risk of blood clots, liver problems, and some types of cancer. Minor side effects include headaches, painful breasts, and fluid retention.

Postmenopause management

In many cases, the discomfort of menopause can be resolved over time. But it can continue with some difficulties. During postmenopause, you can pay attention to some points to stay healthy. These:

• Exercise regularly.
• Avoiding smoking.
• Eating a nutritious diet.
• Perform your regular health check-ups.

You can benefit from OTC treatments for your specific problems with vaginal dryness. Or you can get an alternative prescription from a specialist. Healthcare professionals give some advice for managing these risks after a woman begins to move beyond menopause. Be sure to listen to the words of your health experts.