By definition, menopause is the day that marks 12 consecutive months since your last menstrual period. But before that, women go through perimenopause — a transitional stage that can come with several confusing, uncomfortable symptoms.
If you’re looking for guidance, turn to Daniel McDyer, MD, and Julian Stephen Suhrer, MD, at Florida Woman Care of Jacksonville. Our team offers expert support and care to help you find relief and feel your best during this essential phase of life.
Wondering what to watch for? Let’s take a look at five common signs that may indicate you’re in perimenopause.
During perimenopause, the ovaries begin to slow down production of reproductive hormones like estrogen and progesterone. However, this is not a steady, linear process, and hormone levels can fluctuate from day to day and month to month.
Changes in your menstrual cycle are often the first and most noticeable early signs of perimenopause. Your periods may be shorter or longer than usual, have a heavier or lighter flow, or they may arrive at unpredictable times.
The part of your brain that controls body temperature (the hypothalamus) relies on estrogen to function. As levels fluctuate, it can become overly sensitive to even slight changes in temperature, leading to hot flashes.
Hot flashes are sudden waves of heat over your face, neck, and chest, often accompanied by flushing and sweating. When they occur at night, these episodes are called night sweats, which can be so intense that they disrupt your sleep.
Approximately 40% of women report feeling emotionally off-balance during perimenopause. The same hormonal shifts that affect your body can also influence mood-regulating chemicals in your brain, such as serotonin and dopamine.
You might find yourself feeling inexplicably irritable, stressed, anxious, or sad — mood changes that may feel a lot like the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). But in perimenopause, these feelings aren’t tied to your cycle and can occur at any time.
If you’re having trouble sleeping lately, perimenopause may be to blame. Progesterone has a calming, sedative effect on the brain, and declining levels of this hormone can make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Physical symptoms like night sweats can make the issue even worse by waking you up throughout the night, making you feel hot and uncomfortable. At the same time, a lack of quality sleep can impact your mood, concentration, and overall well-being.
Estrogen keeps the vaginal tissues lubricated and elastic. As levels drop during perimenopause, the vaginal walls may become thinner and lose moisture, leading to uncomfortable symptoms such as dryness, itching, and pain during sex.
While physical discomfort can play a significant role, low estrogen levels can also cause you to feel less interested in sex or have difficulty with arousal and orgasm. However, some women have the opposite experience, as a decrease in estrogen can make the libido-boosting effects of testosterone more prominent.
Are you ready to take control of your health and stop guessing about it? Schedule an appointment at Florida Woman Care of Jacksonville today to learn how we can help you manage uncomfortable perimenopause symptoms.
