Hi, it’s Dr. Reil. Today we have a great question, and that question is: What is perimenopause? What happens to your body during perimenopause, and how do you know when it’s time to start seeing a doctor?
Come with me, and let’s have a little talk about that exact question.
What is perimenopause?
If you read a list of symptoms of menopause and perimenopause, it seems like it should be pretty straightforward. Here are the symptoms, and if I’ve got them, then check, check — here I am, right?
But it’s not always that simple.
During perimenopause, which is typically anywhere from a five- to seven-year period of time, your ovaries are essentially on the decline and shutting down. But they don’t shut down at a beautiful pace like this, just predictably going to sleep. They tend to sputter on and sputter off.
So, there are times when you are estrogen dominant, and there are times when you’re estrogen deficient. And just when you’re about ready to go into the doctor, you’re like, “Oh, everything seems to have leveled off now, and I’m fine.”
So, it can be complicated, and we typically say that most women seek help two to three years, maybe beyond the point where they probably should have come in.
Things to tune into: One of the number one indicators of your ovaries really declining and shutting down is less vaginal moisture and also maybe even less urinary holding power, especially around the time of the month when you’re having your period, because that’s when the estrogen levels get quite low.
In addition, it can affect your moods and your overall disposition because, again, you’re a little bit on a roller coaster, right?
Other sensitive indicators are a tendency toward urinary tract infections when perhaps you never had those before, trouble falling asleep, trouble staying asleep, or other classic symptoms.
Then, depending on the individual, sometimes you do overheat. Your response for heat regulation can be affected. We call those vasomotor symptoms, but basically you can suddenly vasodilate, and that’s called a hot flash.
You just feel very, very warm internally, like someone turned up the temperature on your internal furnace. That can happen during the daytime or also when you’re sleeping, where you want to throw those covers off.
How hormone changes affect your body
Other maybe not-so-subtle symptoms, depending on the individual, can be memory lapses where you walk into a room and you’re thinking, “I know I came here to do something,” but you can’t remember.
So, there can be some glitches there where you just aren’t quite as sharp and feel a little bit more foggy than you normally would.
There are some other symptoms, too, but those are classic.
Most people think, “Oh, I know when I’m going to be heading into the change of my life because I’m no longer going to have regular periods.” But that’s not always predictable. That can be one of the last things that changes.
So, really tune into the overall symptoms. And I think if you get the inclination to ask and seek help — if you think, “I wonder if I should?” — I think the answer is yes.
The sooner you can learn about what’s happening with your body and begin to balance hormones through nutrition, diet, and exercise, the better. These things can play a big role.
It isn’t always about going in when you finally say, “I can’t do this on my own. I’m going to need some prescription hormones,” for instance. It isn’t always that.
But being prepared mentally and going to a provider who is knowledgeable and has experience across the whole gamut — typically anywhere from age 40 to 60, when people may be experiencing symptoms — is really helpful.
And we do provide this service.
Perimenopause, menopause, the change of life — these are all part of our everyday work here at Shiloh Medical Clinic.
We have clinics in both Billings and Bozeman, Montana, and we love nothing more than helping you with hormone balance and providing a place where you can receive understanding and education about what’s going on with your body.
Because it is really important, and it does affect your family and everyone else around you, even your coworkers — but most importantly, you.
This is a time in your life when it really pays to know as much as you can going forward. You’ll feel empowered through that time of life.
So, come on in and see us. We’re happy to set up a consultation for you at Shiloh Medical Clinic in Billings or Shiloh Medical Clinic in Bozeman, Montana.
