Symptoms of Perimenopause

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Most of us, if not all of us, have heard of menopause but what if I told you that there is a whole phase before menopause that no one ever talks about it? It’s called perimenopause.

Perimenopause is the transition into menopause and can last up to 10 years (although the average is 4 years). It can start in your mid to late 30’s but the average age is 45 years old. To put to it simply, perimenopause is a time of hormone fluctuations, primarily estrogen and progesterone. It is marked by irregular periods (shorter or longer in duration) but comes with a whole list of possible symptoms that can last through menopause/post menopause:

  • Hot flashes

  • Headaches

  • Irritability

  • Depression

  • Insomnia/sleeplessness

  • Anxiety

  • Low libido

  • Increased urinary frequency

  • Dental problems

  • Hair loss/hair thinning

  • Mood changes

  • Fatigue

  • Joint pain

  • Breast tenderness

  • Muscle pain

  • Tingling in extremities

  • Painful intercourse

  • Digestive issues (including gas and bloating)

  • Brittle nails

  • Heart palpitations

  • Hearing loss/tinnitus

  • Feeling light headed

  • Brain fog

  • Weight gain

  • Unloved feelings

  • Dry vagina

  • New facial hair

  • Difficulty concentrating

  • Frozen shoulder

  • Acne

  • Body odor

Of course some of these symptoms can be related to other things as well and it’s always best to discuss them with your doctor.

More on perimenopause and ways to lessen these symptoms coming soon. You can also contact me about Menopause Coaching.

Are you experiencing any of these symptoms?