Experiencing symptoms that might indicate perimenopause? Learn how to recognize the signs.

Signs of Approaching Menopause: Identifying Perimenopause Symptoms

Perimenopause, a phase leading up to menopause, is a natural part of a woman's life. During this time, the production of the hormone estrogen starts to decline, causing various symptoms such as hot flashes, insomnia, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and irregular periods. Here are some strategies to help manage these symptoms.

Avoiding certain triggers can help manage mild to moderate perimenopause symptoms. These triggers include caffeine, spicy foods, smoking, and wearing layers. By avoiding these, you can potentially alleviate some of the discomfort associated with perimenopause.

Hormone therapy is an effective method for managing perimenopause symptoms, but it does come with risks. Hormone therapy, which can include taking estrogen and progestin or using local therapies like vaginal rings, tablets, or creams, increases the risk of heart disease, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, blood clots, gallstones, and is not recommended if you've recently undergone treatment for breast cancer.

Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) can help with hot flashes and vaginal dryness. However, it's important to discuss these options with your doctor to understand the potential benefits and risks.

If perimenopause symptoms are affecting your quality of life, it's essential to loop your doctor in. They can help determine the best course of treatment for your individual needs and medical history.

Eating a plant-based diet, particularly soy-based foods, chickpeas, lentils, flaxseed, and whole grains, can potentially help ease perimenopause symptoms due to the presence of phytoestrogens.

Certain medications can also help manage perimenopause symptoms. Antidepressants, antiseizure meds, and blood pressure meds can help manage hot flashes and sleep problems. Over-the-counter lubricants like Astroglide or K-Y Jelly can help with mild vaginal dryness during sex, while vaginal moisturizers like Replens or Vagisil can help with ongoing vaginal dryness by absorbing into tissue to hydrate it.

Exercising for at least 30 minutes a day can help improve sleep and boost mood. Yoga can be particularly helpful if you have stress or anxiety. Losing weight can also help reduce the severity of hot flashes.

It's important to note that pregnancy is still possible during perimenopause, but it can be more challenging due to fewer egg releases and less regular periods. If your periods are extremely heavy, go on for more than 7 days, come with spotting in between them, are fewer than 21 days apart, or if you experience significant changes to your periods, it's crucial to call your OB-GYN.

Treatment options for perimenopause symptoms include hormone replacement therapy (with bioidentical or conventional hormones), non-hormonal alternatives such as antidepressants or gabapentin, herbal preparations, lifestyle and nutritional counseling, mental health support (including psychotherapy), as well as innovative procedures like genital laser therapy, all tailored to individual needs and medical history.

However, some herbal supplements like black cohosh and isoflavone supplements derived from soy or red clover may not be effective or safe for managing perimenopause symptoms and could potentially pose risks, especially for those with a high risk of breast cancer.

In conclusion, perimenopause is a natural part of a woman's life, and while it can bring challenges, there are various strategies to help manage the associated symptoms. It's essential to discuss these options with your doctor to determine the best course of treatment for your individual needs.