Perimenopause is the transitional period before the onset of menopause. Menopause is when menstruation ceases. This stage of life can last a few months or up to 10 years. The female hormone estrogen rises and falls inconsistently during perimenopause. Estrogen affects almost every part of the female body. The hormone affects your reproductive system, heart, bones, brain and many other parts of the anatomy. Your menstrual cycle can become chaotic and unpredictable. Perimenopause is experienced differently by every woman. The main sign of perimenopause is menstrual irregularity.Symptoms usually start sometime in the 40s but can begin as early as the 30s. Perimenopausal women can experience the bulk of symptoms associated with menopause during perimenopause. The majority of them can occur in the perimenopausal stage instead of the menopausal stage for some women. Many women have mild symptoms during menopause or none at all. Others may have debilitating symptoms throughout perimenopause and menopause, such as very heavy bleeding and severe mood swings. These symptoms can exhibit for a few months or many years. Some common symptoms of perimenopause include hot flashes, mood swings, and irregular periods.
Perimenopausal symptoms are primarily caused by lower production of estrogen and progesterone, which are the female sex hormones. These hormones play a major role in many functions of the female body. The perimenopausal period is considered officially over after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. You should see your health care provider if perimenopausal symptoms are affecting your quality of life.
