Perimenopause is a time of big changes in a woman’s life. Much like puberty, fluctuations in hormones change the way you feel your body and they way you perceive yourself.

Patients frequently share with me: 

“I just don’t feel like myself.”

“My mood has changed.”

“I feel irritable for no reason.”

“I’m more anxious than I used to be.”

“I wake up multiple times at night to urinate.”

“I can’t stay asleep.”

“My libido is low.”

“I have palpitations.”

“I’m gaining weight without changing my diet.” 

Experts have described a total of 278 symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause (so far).

These symptoms are very common. The period of perimenopause is the range of years around the last menstrual period, and it can start in the late 30s, early or mid 40s, but it is different for every woman. This is the period when hormones levels start to change. These symptoms can last up to 7-10 years. Factors like ethnicity, culture, and socioeconomic status can influence how this transition is experienced.

Around 35, testosterone begins a gradual decline, and accelerates after menopause. This can cause low libido, increasing UTIs, pain with intercourse, etc. Your periods start to change. Estrogen and progesterone have a more sudden drop, and it is due to the permanent cessation of your ovarian function.

You deserve to be treated, cared for, and informed so you can make the best decision for your health. You do not need to suffer! There are many effective options to help manage symptoms.

Non-hormonal approaches include changes in lifestyle, regular exercise, and nutrition, supplements, SSRIs. Hormonal treatments are also available, including estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen plays an important role in complex physiological processes. There are estrogen receptors all over our bodies, in the brain, muscles, bones and organs. There is systemic treatment, meaning that it reaches to all those receptors and treats most symptoms, and there is also local, topical treatment that treats the tissues of the vulva, vagina and bladder.

Every woman’s journey is unique, and care should be individualized. With the right support and treatment, this transition can be managed in a way that helps you feel like yourself again.