The Early Signs of Perimenopause

Written and edited by Sarah Bonza MD. MPH, FAAFP, DipABLM, NBC-HWC

The early signs of perimenopause can be both physical and emotional. These symptoms typically occur between the ages of 40 to 50 years old, but can occur as early as 35 years old. Hot flashes and night sweats are common, as are irregular periods and fatigue.

Many women also experience mood swings, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to talk to your doctor to rule out other potential causes. However, if you're approaching menopause, these early signs may give you a heads up that the transition is beginning.

Changes in Your Menstrual Cycle

You may start to skip periods or have them more frequently. As women age, it can be quite common to experience changes in their menstrual cycle. This may include skipping periods or having them more frequently than usual. It's important to be aware of such shifts in our body, because they can indicate other underlying medical issues such as imbalances of estrogen and progesterone or even polycystic ovary syndrome.

It is essential to consult your doctor for an examination and potential tests if any unusual or concerning symptoms occur. Although cycles may sometimes shift without any medical cause, being proactive by consulting with a doctor will help ensure that your health is being monitored and is kept under control.

Hot Flashes and Night Sweats

Experiencing hot flashes and night sweats can be incredibly uncomfortable. Unpredictable and sudden episodes of excessive sweating can be disruptive, cause embarrassment, and lead to sleepless nights — all of which can impact the daily life of an individual. Hot flashes are a common symptom of menopause and estrogen deficiency, but they may be experienced by some individuals before reaching menopause.

However, there are ways to manage hot flashes in order to make them less severe. From lifestyle modifications such as avoiding triggers that can worsen hot flashes and night sweats (e.g., alcohol or spicy foods) to natural remedies like yoga and meditation which can help reduce stress levels, finding the right technique is key for proactive management.

Mood Swings and Irritability

For some people, life is uneventful and predictable. But for others, daily life can be incredibly tumultuous. From one moment to the next, moods can swing from one extreme to the next - with seemingly no explanation as to why. These emotional surges can lead to profound feelings of irritability or frustration which may negatively impact relationships at home or work.

While it can be difficult to understand the source of these volatile fluctuations in emotion, it's important to remember that recognizing and respecting the underlying emotions behind them is essential for moving on and finding a place of balance and peace.

Difficulty Sleeping

Many people have difficulty getting a good night’s sleep these days and it has become a serious problem in modern day society. It can cause stress, depression, exhaustion, and other physical and mental health issues. Some common methods of dealing with difficulty sleeping include avoidance of caffeine and sugar late in the evening, avoiding electronics before bedtime, including daily exercise in your routine, and maintaining a relaxing environment in your bedroom.

If the issue persists it is important to speak to your doctor or a sleep specialist so they can diagnose any underlying medical conditions that might be contributing to your lack of quality sleep.

Vaginal Dryness

Vaginal dryness can be embarrassing for many women, but it is actually a very common and manageable condition. Fortunately, advances in medicine have enabled us to be better informed than ever before about its causes and the solutions available. In some cases, vaginal dryness can be caused by menopausal changes, which can make it difficult to talk openly about the issue. But understanding why it happens is key in helping women gain their confidence back.

While taking medication may work for some, others may choose a natural option such as using personal lubricants or hormonal supplementation. Regardless of what route a woman takes to remedy this problem, improving her personal hygiene habits and scheduling regular visits with her OBGYN will help keep vaginal dryness at bay.

Loss of Libido

Loss of libido can be extremely distressing for individuals and can have a variety of contributing factors. Depending on the severity, medical assistance may be needed to pinpoint the underlying cause in order to develop an effective strategy for treatment as libido loss can indicate serious medical conditions such as hormonal deficiency or depression.

For some people, lifestyle choices like poor diet, lack of exercise and excessive stress could also play a part. Professional help is important to come up with solutions to restore libido and improve overall wellbeing.

I hope you found this post helpful! Please download my FREE perimenopause e-book to learn more about symptoms and what you can do about them. You can also take our FREE Perimenopause Quiz to see if you can identify other symptoms you’re experiencing regularly and help lead you to the right path of action.

Make sure to follow Bonza Health on Instagram for weekly health tips to help you balance your hormones and achieve optimal hormonal health!