vida notes | what is perimenopause?
perimenopause is the transition leading up to menopause.
during this time, ovarian function begins to change + reproductive hormones—including estrogen + progesterone—can fluctuate unpredictably.
and those hormonal changes can affect much more than your period.
what can perimenopause feel like?
symptoms can include:
- changes in your menstrual cycle
- hot flashes + night sweats
- difficulty sleeping
- mood changes, irritability + anxiety
- brain fog + difficulty concentrating
- vaginal dryness
- changes in sexual desire
- headaches
- joint + muscle pain
one of the most important things to know?
perimenopause can begin while you're still having regular periods.
your cycle does not have to become obviously irregular before you begin experiencing symptoms.
your hormones may not tell the whole story.
during perimenopause, hormone levels can fluctuate considerably from day to day.
because of this, a single “normal” hormone level doesn't necessarily rule out perimenopause.
in otherwise healthy people age 45 or older with typical symptoms, perimenopause can generally be identified based on the clinical history rather than confirmatory hormone testing.
your symptoms matter.
their pattern matters.
and understanding what is changing can help you figure out what to do next.
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respira.
this too shall pass.
un día a la vez.
with love,
Daniela Caballero Varona, MD
educational content only. this information is not intended to diagnose or treat a medical condition or replace individualized medical care.