The perimenopause means ‘around menopause.’ It refers to the transition period leading up to menopause.
It all starts when hormone levels begin to fluctuate. The body is struggling to produce them as regularly as it once did. Sometimes they rise, sometimes they fall. The more sharply, the more adverse symptoms may be.
This includes all the old familiars. Hot flushes, headaches, changes to the mood, night sweats.
These are common and well-publicised. Most people could probably name at least one symptom of the perimenopause.
But there is a long list of perimenopause symptoms, many of which are less well-known and understood. Some are quite serious, some are less so. Some are experienced by a lot of women, some are very rare.
Even women who have never suffered with mental health problems in the past can begin to experience things like depression and anxiety, seemingly out of nowhere, as they begin the perimenopause.
Women who previously suffered from premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can be more adversely affected during the perimenopause. Many women feel extremely vulnerable, both mentally and physically, when they begin to experience the perimenopause.
It’s really important that you make time to talk to your doctor about the perimenopause if you think you’ve started to experience it. Even if you develop certain symptoms and you’re unsure, it’s better to check it over with a medical professional.