Perimenopause causes changes in your body that you may or may not notice. For most women, the discomforts associated with perimenopause are minimal and manageable. Some things you might experience in the perimenopause years include:
- Changes in your menstrual cycle (longer or shorter periods, heavier or lighter periods, or missed periods)
- Hot flashes (sudden rush of heat from your chest to your head)
- Night sweats (hot flashes that happen while you sleep)
- Vaginal dryness
- Sleep problems
- Mood changes (mood swings, sadness, or irritability)
- Pain during sex
- More urinary infections
- Urinary incontinence
- Less interest in sex
- Increase in body fat around your waist
- Problems with concentration and memory
You can’t always tell if physical or emotional changes are related to menopause, the normal aging process, or something else. But by monitoring your menstrual cycle and recording your signs and symptoms for several months, you’ll gain a better understanding of the changes occurring during this time. You will also have valuable information to discuss with your doctor should you have a concern.
Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) are often the treatment of choice to relieve perimenopausal symptoms — even if you don’t need them for birth control. Today’s low-dose pills regulate periods and stop or reduce hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and premenstrual syndrome.
Making lifestyle changes may help ease the discomfort of your symptoms and keep you healthy in the long run.
- Good nutrition. Because your risk of osteoporosis (bone disease) and heart disease increases at this time, a healthy eating plan is more important than ever. Adopt a low-fat, high-fiber eating plan that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Add calcium-rich foods or take a calcium supplement. Limit alcohol or caffeine, which can affect sleep. If you smoke, try to quit.
- Regular exercise. Regular physical activity helps keep your weight down, improves your sleep, strengthens your bones, and elevates your mood. Try to exercise for 30 minutes or more on most days of the week.
- Stress reduction. Practiced regularly, stress reduction techniques such as meditation or yoga can help you relax and tolerate your symptoms more easily.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services