Perimenopause

Navigating the transitions in your changing body

Something has shifted. Your sleep isn’t what it used to be. Your periods are different. You feel like yourself, but not quite. These changes have a name: perimenopause. At Reid Health, our women’s health providers have helped generations of women across East Central Indiana and West Central Ohio navigate perimenopause and its various (often frustrating) symptoms. We’re here to help you understand what your body is going through and figure out what to do about it.

What is perimenopause?

Perimenopause means “around menopause.” It’s the transition your body goes through in the years leading up to your last period. During this time, hormone levels, especially estrogen, can rise and fall unevenly, affecting your menstrual cycle, sleep, mood, and other aspects of daily life.

You have officially reached menopause when you have gone 12 full months without having a menstrual period. Perimenopause is the years leading up to menopause. After you reach menopause, you enter the post-menopause phase of your life.

When does perimenopause start, and how long does it last?

Perimenopause often begins in the mid- to late 40s, but it can begin earlier for some women. The timing and symptoms can vary widely from person to person.

Perimenopause generally lasts between two and eight years, with most women experiencing about four years of transition before their periods stop permanently.

Perimenopause vs menopause

The terms “perimenopause” and “menopause” are often used interchangeably, but they mean different things. Perimenopause is the transition during the years of hormonal change leading up to the end of your periods. Menopause is the milestone itself: 12 consecutive months without a period. After that point, you’re in post-menopause.

Perimenopause is often identified based on age, symptoms, and changes in menstrual cycles. Because hormone levels can vary a lot during this transition, routine hormone testing is not always needed. 

 

Perimenopause treatment

An OB/GYN or women’s health provider can prescribe certain medications for severe hot flashes, mood shifts, night sweats, and other symptoms. Those treatments generally fall into three categories:

• Low-dose hormonal birth control: If you’re still having periods, your provider might recommend birth control options such as the pill, patch, or vaginal ring. Birth control regulates hormones and provides reliable contraception at the same time.
• Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT, formerly known as Hormone Replacement Therapy, HRT): MHT can be highly effective for managing hot flashes, sleep disruptions, and night sweats. Still, MHT is not right for everyone. Your provider will thoroughly review your personal and family history, including breast cancer risk, abnormal vaginal bleeding, blood clots, stroke, heart disease, and liver disease, before recommending treatment.
• Non-hormonal treatments: Hormone-based treatments aren’t your only options. Non-hormonal prescription medicines can also help manage some symptoms, especially hot flashes. Depending on your needs, treatment for sleep changes, mood symptoms, or vaginal discomfort might differ.