Menopause is when a woman doesn’t have monthly menstrual cycles for an entire year. Before the onset of menopause, there is reduced or irregular production of estrogen. As a result, a woman may experience perimenopausal symptoms. This is a stage right before menopause and is accompanied by many symptoms, including:
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Hot flashes that last between a few seconds to a few minutes
- Heavy sweating
- Heart palpitations
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches
- Sore breast
- Sensitive skin
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Dry hair and hair loss
- Sensitive and dry skin
- Vaginal dryness
- Insomnia
- Weight loss or weight gain
- Poor concentration or memory loss
- Feeling apprehensive
- Anxiety
- Bloating
The above symptoms usually go away on their own after a few years. For that reason, you don’t need any medication to soothe them. However, if they are severe and negatively impact your daily life, it’s best to see a doctor.
To help alleviate the symptoms, doctors suggest embracing positive lifestyle changes, including the following:
- Regular exercise
- Avoiding or reducing alcohol intake
- Sticking to a healthy diet
- Developing a positive mindset about the menopause journey
- Seeking help from a medical professional
Early Perimenopausal and Menopausal Symptoms
Typically, you should experience perimenopause between the age of 40 and 55 years. However, for various reasons, some women may experience perimenopause signs earlier than usual. These include:
- A breast cancer diagnosis and an ongoing chemotherapy session
- Smoking cigarettes
- Certain medications that cause the ovary to malfunction
- Genetic predisposition
- Being underweight
- Chromosomal abnormalities
It’s important to note that perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms differ from one woman to another. For some, these symptoms can be severe. For others, they can almost be non-existent, making it hard to notice that one is even in menopause. Whatever the case, it’s always best to talk to a certified physician about menopause, especially if you’re between the ages of 40 and 55.
