Perimenopause is a phase in women’s life that often sneaks up unexpectedly but it’s an unskippable stage that every woman must go through. It might catch them off guard but women know since the day they start their menstrual cycle that it will come to an end one day. When the struggle with the side effects of the menstrual cycle such as backache, pelvic pain, or severe period pain is ongoing, the idea of its coming to an end might be elating. But even when it’s time to bid goodbye to your reproductive power, it's no less stress-inducing. As women gradually enter their late thirties to early forties, the phase leading to menopause or perimenopause begins. It’s the time when women start experiencing early signs of menopause. Today, we'll dive deep into the real meaning of perimenopause, exploring why it happens, early signs, and how to tackle bodily changes.
What is Perimenopause?
In simple terms, perimenopause refers to the time around menopause. It’s a transitional phase when women start to experience unusual patterns in their menstrual cycle. From sudden drops in the days of the cycle to unreported delays in the cycle, the early symptoms of menopause are stress-inducing. As long as women experience the on-and-off monthly cycle, the perimenopause phase is still there. Once they experience a year without any cycle, they hit the menopause.
It’s not a great feeling to know that with the termination of the cycle, your ovaries are now also in permanent rest. It’s tough for many women to accept the fact that they have lost their reproductive power. But this is not the end of the world. It’s a beautiful phase that teaches women how powerful they are and how much value they hold in terms of knowledge and experience.
Causes of Perimenopause
No woman on this earth can skip perimenopause. It is a natural biological process that occurs as the ovaries gradually produce less estrogen, the hormone that regulates the menstrual cycle. With the reduced amount of the hormone, the eggs slowly stop being released.
Symptoms of Perimenopause
Perimenopause symptoms are not joyful to experience. This phase can wreak havoc on a woman’s body. From hot flashes and night sweats to sagging skin, there are a range of early symptoms of menopause. Let’s find them out:
1. Irregular Periods:
The first noticeable change that marks the beginning of perimenopause is irregular menstrual cycles. Shorter, and frequent periods are the early signs of menopause.
2. Hot Flashes and Night Sweats:
From sudden feelings of warmth around your face and upper body to profuse sweating to the level that you have to change clothes, your sleep cycle goes haywire.
3. Mood Swings:
Menopausal mood swings are not limited to irritability and hunger that women often experience during their menstrual cycle. It includes excessive rage, depression, and anxiety.
4. Skin Changes:
Hormonal shifts lead to dry, flaky, and sagging skin. Your skin may lose plumpness and show more visible signs of ageing.
5. Changes in Libido:
As vaginal dryness is a sign of perimenopause, it’s understandable that sex becomes painful. In extreme cases, intimate moments might lead to severe bleeding.
6. Weight Gain:
As women start to lose muscle mass and losing visceral fat becomes harder, weight gain is a common symptom of perimenopause.
Why is Perimenopause an Alert to the Body?
Perimenopause can be named as ‘the change before change’. Menopause is a change to a woman’s body. Perimenopause slowly leads women to permanent change. It lets the body know that it is time for ovaries to stop producing eggs and stop releasing them eventually. The hormonal shift starts this transition.
As women begin experiencing dermal, physical, sexual, and emotional changes, it’s time to take things in hand. Be more attentive to your well-being. It’s time to exercise daily. Women must take great care of what they are putting in their bodies. Along with a nutritious diet, perimenopause supplements like Amaya, Asaya, and Akira of Menoveda are effective methods to control the side effects of this midlife transition among women.
Perimenopause is a natural phase that women experience, and it's essential to embrace it with grace and a focus on self-care. Once women notice the early signs of menopause, it’s better to include menopause supplements in their regular diet. Be prepared early on to handle the changes like a boss. Check the website of Menoveda to find out how each supplement can help you control different early symptoms of menopause. Menoveda offers Ayush-certified Ayurvedic, non-GMO, plant-based, toxin, and chemical-free menopause supplements that have no side effects on women’s health.
Frequently Asked Questions on What is Perimenopause:
1. At what age does perimenopause start?
Perimenopause usually starts in a woman's late 30s to early 40s. However, there are incidents reported of early menopause and late menopause as well. It’s better to keep track of changes in your cycle from the mid-30s. It’s best to keep track of your early signs of menopause.
2. How long is the perimenopause period?
The duration of perimenopause can be anything around four to ten years.
3. How do I know if I'm in perimenopause?
Once you start experiencing common signs of perimenopause such as irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and changes in skin health, it is advised to consult a gynaecologist for guidance and support.
