Menopause & perimenopause

Signs and symptoms of perimenopause and menopause

For most women in today’s world, hormonal imbalance seems almost inevitable. The demands we place on our bodies simply outweigh the support we give them. That’s why it becomes so vital to take better care of ourselves as we age. The underlying factors of hormonal imbalance — high stress levels, suboptimal nutritional support, lack of exercise, and cumulative exposure to toxins — can be resolved easily and naturally in almost all women. When these women’s health issues are addressed, what began with severe or disruptive menopausal symptoms becomes a healthy, vital and natural transition.

Common symptoms of menopause

Below is a list of symptoms that many women experience in the months or years leading up to menopause. The better your health foundation as you enter these perimenopausal years, the less disruptive your symptoms will likely be.

• Hot flashes, night sweats
• Sleep disorders such as insomnia, difficulty falling asleep, waking up frequently, or restless sleep, leading to fatigue
• Mood swings, irritability, depression, anxiety, or nervousness
• Decreased libido, lack of sexual desire, vaginal dryness and atrophy, vulvar thinning
• Menstrual cycle changes, including heavier periods, uterine fibroids, spotting between periods, or skipped cycles, as well as worsening PMS (premenstrual syndrome) or PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder)
• Fuzzy thinking, decreased or impaired memory and attention
• Increased food cravings, stubborn weight gain, insulin resistance, and difficulty controlling blood sugar
• Digestive problems, such as irritable bowel, bloating, or acid reflux
• Cardiac complaints, such as heart arrhythmia, chest pain, palpitations, or heart disease and stroke
• Joint and muscle symptoms, including inflammation, stiffness or pain
• Dizziness, decreased balance, headaches or menstrual migraines
• Breast tenderness, breast cysts, or nipple discharge
• Hair loss; unwanted facial hair growth; dry eyes, skin, or hair; midlife acne
• Pelvic or urinary complaints, including urinary incontinence, urinary tract infections (UTI’s), pelvic prolapse, cystocele, rectocele
• Increased allergies and sensitivities, hives
• Find explanations and further symptoms on our page of women’s health symptoms and concerns.

In the above list of symptoms you may recognize some of the many ways your body manifests its fluctuating hormonal tides. For some women, the signs and symptoms of perimenopause cause considerable discomfort and disruption in their lives. The good news is, there are many things we can do to smooth out the hormonal blips of perimenopause, decrease both frequency and severity of our symptoms, and set the stage for better-than-ever health as we enter our menopausal years.

To assess the severity of your own symptoms, take our free Hormonal Health Profile.

To learn how you can take control of your own hormonal balance, click here for a list of our in-depth articles on the topic of menopause.

We’re always happy to welcome new patients to our medical clinic in Yarmouth, Maine, for those who can make the trip. Click here for information about making an appointment.

 

Original Publication Date: 02/12/2007
Last Modified: 01/30/2008
Principal Author: Marcella Sweet