Perimenopause—the transition time leading up to menopause—is a gradual process. Your hormones begin to fluctuate to prepare your body for the end of menstruation, and it can begin anywhere from your early 30s to your late 40s. Typically, perimenopause can last for a few months to a few years.
As your estrogen levels rise and fall, symptoms of perimenopause will come and go—which explains why you might be dealing with unexpected symptoms one week and feel like your normal self the next.
So, are you in perimenopause? Here, we’ll look at 9 common signs that your body may be starting the transition to menopause.
Note: If you are experiencing many of these symptoms, it’s best to reach out to your doctor, who can help you determine if perimenopause is the suspected cause.
1. Irregular Periods
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Are your periods suddenly all over the place? Maybe they don’t last as long, there’s a change in your flow, or you go a month or two without having one. This could be a telltale sign that you’ve entered perimenopause.
2. Hot Flashes
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Hot flashes are a common symptom of perimenopause. It’s far from the worst side effect but can be unpleasant and disruptive.
A hot flash is a sudden sensation of heat that often causes sweating, heart palpitations, and anxiety.
3. Cold Flashes
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Cold flashes are another perimenopause sign. A cold flash is a sudden sensation of cold that can be accompanied by chills and goosebumps.
4. Night sweats
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Night sweats are one of the most common signs of perimenopause! A night sweat is when a person feels hot and sweaty during sleep.
Night sweats are typically more intense during perimenopause but can last throughout menopause as well.
5. Irritability & Mood Swings
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In perimenopause, hormone levels fluctuate and can cause mood swings. Mood swings can include sadness, anxiety, irritability, and even anger.
6. Vaginal Dryness
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Vaginal dryness is characterized by reduced hydration or fluid in the tissues of the vagina, which can lead to pain and irritation.
7. Trouble Sleeping
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Between fluctuating hormones and night sweats, perimenopause can cause a disruption in how much sleep you’re getting.
Insomnia, trouble falling asleep, and the inability to get restful sleep can occur during perimenopause.
8. Forgetting or Inability to concentrate
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During perimenopause, memory and concentration problems can happen as estrogen levels drop, leading to insufficient blood flow to the brain.
9. Sore breasts
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Breast tenderness can occur in the premenopausal stages because of fluid retention and the fluctuation in hormones like estrogen and progesterone.
Balance These 4 Hormones for Weight Loss
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Your hormones impact so many things—from your mood and energy levels to your weight.
When you are deficient or dominant in any one hormone, it’s easier to gain weight. This is particularly true for women who are experiencing hormonal imbalances caused by the natural aging process.
If you’re someone struggling with weight loss, you might benefit from understanding your hormone levels and trying these natural ways to balance your hormones.
Yoga For Anxiety: 6 Best Poses To Give You Relief
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Yoga teaches you to find the calm within your breathing. It teaches you how to find a position (an “asana”) and stay in the moment—the here and now. It helps you harness an inner calm no matter what is happening around you or your anxieties for the future.
These poses will help ease your anxiety and give you relief!
Yoga For Anxiety: 6 Best Poses To Give You Relief
9 Hip-Strengthening Exercises for Seniors
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As the largest joint in your body, your hips play a central role in healthy aging.
These mighty structures enable you to perform a wide range of daily activities, from standing to walking to climbing stairs—so it’s hardly surprising that hip weakness and pain can be debilitating to your everyday life!
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