Perimenopause and hormonal health
What is perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the stage of life leading up to your last menstrual period. During this stage you may have some of the symptoms of menopause.
Perimenopause ends one year after your last period — this is known as menopause. The next life stage is known as post-menopause.
Perimenopause usually starts in your 40s. On average, perimenopause lasts 4 to 6 years. However, it can last from 1 to 10 years.
What are the symptoms of perimenopause?
A common symptom of perimenopause is irregular periods.
Your periods may:
come more or less often
be longer or shorter than usual
be lighter or heavier than usual
Some months you might not get a period. It can change from month to month.
What other perimenopause symptoms may I get?
Most females will have some physical or emotional symptoms of menopause.
About:
3 in 5 females will have mild to moderate symptoms
1 in 5 females will have symptoms severe enough to affect their daily activities
1 in 5 females won’t have any symptoms at all
Physical symptoms of perimenopause may include:
disturbed sleep and tiredness
sore muscles and joints
sore breasts
Emotional and mental symptoms of perimenopause may include:
mood swings
You may also have weight gain despite not changing your diet or exercise.
What causes perimenopause?
Perimenopause takes place as your ovaries start to run out of eggs.
The levels of hormones in your body, such as oestrogen, change during this time. Changes in your hormone levels can cause perimenopausal symptoms like hot flushes.
Some people experience sudden menopause because of surgery or cancer treatment.
Can perimenopause be prevented?
Perimenopause is the life-stage before menopause and cannot be prevented.
Complications of perimenopause
Females with a history of major depressive disorder and hormone-related mood conditions are at risk of depression.
Nutritional and Herbal Medicine can help this transition by balancing hormones and ease symptoms such as:
Reducing hot flashes
Help sleep quality
Support mental health
Hormonal changes during the cycle
Boost concentration and energy levels
If you think you need help to manage and improve your perimenopause symptomps book a discovery call to discuss your options.
Resources:
Family Planning Australia(Know Your Health - Menopause)
Jean Hailes for Women’s Health(Perimenopause)
Australasian Menopause Society(Perimenopause or Menopausal Transition)
Australian Journal of General Practice(Making choices at menopause)
Jean Hailes for Women’s Health(Perimenopause: how to manage the change before ‘The Change’)
Jean Hailes for Women’s Health(Menopause and natural therapies)