Signs of Perimenopause - When Does it Start?
Perimenopause is one of those topics, that can leave you feeling more confused and overwhelmed by the end of a conversation with friends. Everyone has an opinion; no two women experience the same signs of perimenopause and it’s hard to separate the misinformation from the medicine.
Despite all the noise, perimenopause is not a problem that needs to be fixed; it’s a natural part of life that will impact every woman differently and there are treatments available to help relieve symptoms.
You can’t take a test to confirm if you are in perimenopause; but your doctor can make this assessment based on your age and the signs of perimenopause that you may be experiencing. This is why trusted medical support and evidence-based information are essential parts of your perimenopausal game plan.
Firstly, what is perimenopause exactly?
Simply put, perimenopause is the stage leading into menopause when your ovaries start to run out of eggs which causes your hormone levels, particularly oestrogen, to fluctuate. It’s a hormonal rollercoaster that can deliver a range of symptoms - low levels of oestrogen can cause hot flushes, while higher levels can lead to tender breasts and migraines.
When does perimenopause start?
In Australia, the average age for women to reach menopause is 51 to 52 years old and perimenopause usually starts in their 40s. There are no set timelines: one woman may start to experience symptoms of perimenopause at 44, another at 49.
On average perimenopause lasts four to six years, although the scale can be anywhere from 12 months to over a decade. Menopause is reached when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a period.
How do I know if I’m in perimenopause?
One of the best ways to work out whether you’re in perimenopause is to pay attention to your body; take note of changes to your health or recurring symptoms and speak to a specialised GP. The more you know about perimenopause and the more support you have, the better you can manage your health during this time.
What are the signs of perimenopause?
Generally, one of the first signs of perimenopause will be irregular periods that become heavier, lighter, shorter or longer than normal. You can go from having a predictable cycle to random spotting and months when you don’t bleed at all.
There are a variety of symptoms that can be part of perimenopause, including emotional, cognitive and physical symptoms.
Physical signs of perimenopause can include:
Hot flushes and night sweats
Sleep problems and low energy
Headaches
Joint aches and pains
Dry vagina
Tender breasts
Common emotional and cognitive symptoms can include:
Mood swings
Forgetfulness
Brain fog
Anxiety or depression
On average, 60% of women will experience mild to moderate symptoms during perimenopause, 20% will have no signs at all and the other 20% will have severe symptoms that impact their quality of life.
Typically, perimenopause is gradual. Symptoms often fluctuate and can intensify as you get closer to menopause. It’s an important time to build a relationship with a doctor you trust. Not only can they help you with menopause symptoms, but they can also advise you on silent health issues like bone density and cardiovascular risks.
Here’s the good news - there are treatments available for perimenopause.
If there’s one thing that we wish more women knew, it’s that you don’t need to suffer in silence. While irregular periods and tender breasts can be par for the course during perimenopause, if symptoms start impacting your quality of life, there are a range of treatments that can help.
An effective way to treat symptoms of the perimenopause is to top-up the hormones that your body is winding down, and this is what Hormone Replacement Therapy, or HRT for perimenopause is designed for. You don’t have to wait for your periods to stop before starting HRT; it’s most effective when you are perimenopausal, before your official ‘menopause.’
While there are different types of HRT for perimenopause, it’s not the only option available. From non-hormonal therapies to lifestyle management, allied health and mental health professionals, it’s the time to build a healthcare team that can help you navigate this journey and find the solutions that are going to work for you.
How young is too young for perimenopause?
With more women speaking about menopause, a lot of younger women are wondering if they are perimenopausal. Our advice is always to speak to a doctor, because depending on the symptoms there are hormonal and non-hormonal treatments available. However, it’s worth noting that HRT is not a contraceptive and there are some newer oral contraceptive pills that can be effective for perimenopausal symptoms in younger women and are closer to their natural hormones at this age.
If we could post a giant billboard in every Australian city and town about perimenopause, it would be to encourage more women to chat with their doctor and to get informed. Perimenopause is your call to action to put your health back on the priority list. Seek advice early and don’t wait until symptoms become unmanageable.
Looking to navigate this journey from peri to post menopause well?
Let us help! Book your first appointment with Ponti Health today!