Not to be confused with premenopause, perimenopause affects all women differently. Some will notice changes in their 30s. However, others may go through this stage for only a few months before reaching menopause.

Either way, the body’s production of estrogen rises and falls unevenly. As a result, women experience a wide range of perimenopause symptoms. Fortunately, treatment options are available to ease the transition. Here are some of the most common symptoms women can experience:

Irregular Periods

Erratic periods are standard during perimenopause. Ovulation becomes more unpredictable, leading to changes in the flow and length of periods. The space between periods can vary as well.

The changes can be so significant that some women assume they have entered menopause. Despite the drop in fertility, it’s still possible to get pregnant during perimenopause. It’s only when a period doesn’t occur for 12 months that doctors typically diagnose full menopause.

A specialist may recommend treatment options if symptoms begin to interfere with daily life. These may include hormone therapy, lifestyle changes, and more.

RELATED: 4 Common Reasons You Might Be Experiencing Irregular Periods

Hot Flashes

Hot flashes are an infamous sign of menopause. However, these bouts of sudden body heat can occur during perimenopause, too. They’re one of the most common symptoms, affecting more than two-thirds of women heading into menopause.

Characterized by an intense wave of heat over the face, neck, and chest, hot flashes can result in profuse sweating and sleeping issues. The frequency and severity of hot flashes vary based on the hormonal changes within.

Luckily, a specialist can help manage hot flashes with hormone treatments like birth control, patches, gels, and more.

Mood Swings

Not all perimenopause symptoms are physical. In many cases, the transitional period causes noticeable emotional instability. Sometimes called “Perimenopause Rage,” these mood swings differ from standard anger or frustration.

Some women describe it as a sudden shift to intense irritation, resentment, or a lack of patience.

Mood swings occur for a variety of reasons. They could be a product of sleep disruption from hot flashes or outside factors. Internally, there’s a chemical reason for the emotional shift.

Estrogen impacts the release of serotonin, the body’s mood regulator hormone. With erratic estrogen production, serotonin levels become unstable. With time lost symptoms improve as the body adjusts to a low hormonal environment.

RELATED: Menopause and Brain Fog

Weight Gain

Weight fluctuations are prevalent in perimenopausal women. Studies suggest that lower estrogen levels change how the body stores fat. Throughout the reproductive stage, women store fat in the hips and thighs. It’s subcutaneous fat, which is usually harmless and doesn’t increase one’s risk of disease.

However, during perimenopause, the dip in estrogen causes the body to store fat in the belly area. It takes the form of visceral fat. Unfortunately, visceral fat comes with higher risks of heart disease, insulin resistance, and a range of health problems.

Of all the perimenopause symptoms, this is one that many women overlook. A crucial part of treatment is to adopt a healthier lifestyle to combat weight gain.

RELATED: Weight management in Los Angeles

Vaginal Dryness

The vaginal tissue can suffer significantly during perimenopause. Estrogen is a vital hormone that governs vaginal elasticity and natural lubrication. When this hormone’s presence in the body decreases, dryness occurs, and vaginal tissue thins. 

The dehydration is not just limited to the vaginal tissue. Many women experience it on the face and other parts of the body as well. However, vaginal dryness can affect sexual health and comfort. Furthermore, a lack of moisture and resilience may make women more vulnerable to vaginal and bladder infections. 

Vaginal dryness is one of those perimenopause symptoms that many women don’t bring up to their specialist. But, there are plenty of treatment options to stave off the effects of hormonal changes.

If you notice any of these perimenopause symptoms, go to a specialist like Dr. Tahery for professional care. Dr. Michael Tahery is a urogynecologist who specializes in both women’s health and urology. He’s spent the last two decades helping women in the Los Angeles area manage this life change. Call us today to schedule an appointment.

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A standard menstrual cycle can range from 21 to 35 days. Meanwhile, the period itself lasts four to seven days. Every woman’s biological process is different. However, most women know what to expect and when.

If things do not proceed as expected, it’s a cause for concern. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding includes everything from unusually light or heavy menstrual cycles and unorthodox timeframes to missing periods and unexpected pain.

Due to your menstrual cycle’s impact, there are many potential explanations for irregularities. Some are benign and easily remedied. However, others are far more pressing. Here are four of the most common causes for irregular periods.

Perimenopause

Perimenopause is a transitional period that can start several years before the last period. During this time, the body goes through many significant changes. While the effects aren’t as noticeable as menopause itself, perimenopause can influence the menstrual cycle. It turns once-regular periods into unpredictable occurrences.

Before entering perimenopause, hormonal fluctuations are relatively stable. Estrogen and progesterone levels rise and fall consistently with a woman’s cycle.

But during perimenopause, things become unpredictable. Hormones become more turbulent, which leads to irregular periods. Many women experience heavy menstrual cycles of varying lengths. Some also encounter sporadic timing that’s not consistent with their regular cycles.

On top of all that, perimenopause can cause additional symptoms. Some of the most common include hot flashes, mood changes, vaginal dryness, and sleeping difficulties.

RELATED: Are you experiencing perimenopause symptoms?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a hormonal disorder that can affect women of reproductive age. The exact cause of PCOS is unknown. However, research shows that genetics, insulin resistance, and inflammation come into play.

Women with PCOS produce higher levels of androgen, the “male hormone.” The excess androgen disrupts the menstrual cycle, resulting in irregular periods. It causes infrequency while also making it difficult for women to get pregnant.

Furthermore, the condition causes tiny fluid-filled sacs to develop in the ovaries. The sacs contain immature eggs that never reach maturity to trigger ovulation.

The condition causes a slew of symptoms. In addition to missed periods, it often causes heavy menstrual cycles due to the buildup of the uterine lining. Some women can also suffer from excessive hair growth, male pattern baldness, and acne.

Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are more common than most think. Approximately 70 percent of women in Los Angeles and beyond have fibroids.

Generally, fibroids are non-cancerous growths. There’s less than one percent chance of malignancy. Nonetheless, these tumors can cause several issues. The severity of a fibroid depends on its location and size. They can be less than an inch in diameter. However, some are capable of growing closer to the size of a grapefruit.

In addition to causing irregular periods, fibroids can cause lower back pain, leg pain, and discomfort during sex. Larger fibroids can also complicate pregnancies and impact fetal growth.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is another widespread condition. This one affects approximately one out of every ten women. It can cause debilitating menstrual cramps and gastrointestinal pain. In many cases, it’s also to blame for heavy menstrual cycles and bleeding between periods.

The exact symptoms can vary from one woman to the next. It all depends on its severity and spread.

This health condition revolves around the endometrium, which is the tissue that lines the uterus and sheds with a regular period. When endometriosis occurs, that lining starts to develop outside the uterine cavity. It can grow around the fallopian tubes, on the intestines, and around other organs in the lower digestive tract.

Misplaced endometrium can wreak havoc on the body in many different ways. While there’s no permanent cure for endometriosis, it is manageable with some professional guidance.

RELATED: Endometriosis Diet: What To Eat and What to Avoid

If you’re experiencing irregular periods, seeking professional care is paramount. While not all causes are severe, heavy menstrual cycles, unusual timing, and unexpected pain could be a sign of trouble. The only way to know for sure is to visit a urogynecologist like Dr. Tahery.

Give the offices of Dr. Michael Tahery a call to schedule a consultation today. Dr. Tahery is a urogynecologist with more than 20 years of experience providing women’s health and wellness services to the Los Angeles area.

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Researchers hypothesis that during premenstrual, postpartum, and perimenopausal transition women are particularly sensitive to changes in their bodies hormonal environment . Each of these stages are characterized by large fluctuations in ovarian hormone production that cause similar depressive effects. 45-68% of perimenopausal women have been found to have elevated depressive syndrome.

Women at high risk for PMDD are those with history of antidepressant use, premenstrual depressive symptoms(PMS), anxiety, and social issues such as social isolation and major stressful life events. Added pressure of caring for young children, aging parents, and at the same time managing a career without support increases the risk for PMDD.

The challenge in diagnosing PMDD is separating perimenopausal and psychiatric symptoms. It is also important to recognize physical, social, emotional, and financial stresses creating added pressure on a woman’s condition. Having a low threshold and educating women during perimenopausal transition to recognize and report to a physician the depressive symptoms is crucial in early diagnosis.

The principal components of treatment are aggressive, early treatment, and close follow up.
In my practice treatment begins with educating women during perimenopausal transition to recognize the life stresses and learn to cope with them appropriately and recognize the depressive symptoms. I use exercise, bio-identical hormones, and diet as the first line of therapy in PMDD. Even though life changing this condition can be treated and managed effectively in the majority of cases in this fashion. Close evaluation and follow up may indicate further treatment with anti-anxiety medication and psychotherapy.

If you recognize these symptoms in yourself or any of the women around you at any stage of life, we are here to help.

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