Knowing these 7 things — by age 35 — will make you much better prepared for perimenopause.
1. At some point in the next 5-10 years, your body will make the shift from being reproductive to being non-reproductive. Shortening menstrual cycles, (i.e., periods coming closer together) can be a first sign that hormonal shifts have begun. If you aren’t using hormonal contraceptives, you can track your periods to determine the length of your cycles and verify this change for yourself. You may also notice changes to your menstrual flow (heavier or lighter) and changes to the number of days in each period (more or fewer days).
2. Each person has a unique path to their final menstrual period. For some of us, periods just stop. But for most of us, we notice changes (aka symptoms) along the way. These changes are the result of hormonal fluctuations and can begin as early as your late 30s/early 40s before noticeable menstrual irregularity.
3. The range of symptoms that can arise on the path to menopause is broad. Symptoms can include much more than night sweats and hot flashes. Mood changes, sleep changes, vaginal and urinary changes, sore breasts, more headaches and even changes to the pelvic floor are all common.
4. Menopause is your final menstrual period. You don’t know it’s your final one until you’ve gone 12 months without another one. It’s kind of a funky definition! Most people reach menopause between 45 and 55. The average age in the US is 51.2 and globally it’s 48.8.
5. Keep in mind perimenopause is a normal transition and not a disease. While normal, the symptoms that arise can be disruptive. If you experience mild symptoms, making some lifestyle changes related to sleep, what you eat and drink and what type of movement you do can have an impact on symptoms and beneficial habits for your future health.
6. Don’t suffer. If symptoms interfere with your sleep, relationships or ability to do your daily activities, seek healthcare. There are many remedies, hormonal and non-hormonal that can make a big difference.
7. Consider some positives. Keep in mind most people who suffer from hormonal ups and downs, feel better after menopause. It’s hard to disentangle reproductive aging from chronological aging because they happen in parallel. But this reproductive transition that occurs on average in our 40s, can be viewed as a reminder that we are beginning the second half of our lives as Dr. Richardson mentions in this video. It offers an opportunity to take stock and consider new habits that can make us healthier and more contented in the coming years.
