What The Heck Is Perimenopause Anyway? The 5 Most Important Things to Know!

As a gynecologist who specializes in midlife health, I am always amazed that most women do not have a clue about What To Expect When They Are No Longer Expecting. It seems like once you are done making babies, your OB-GYN has to move on to the next bunch of pregnant women, and you are left standing in the cold. But in actuality, you are really getting hot…and sweaty, tired, moody, forgetful and fatter. Most importantly, you just don’t feel like yourself anymore. This journey usually begins in our forties and lasts for 4-8 years. Welcome to Perimenopause.

Do not show up clueless to the Perimenopause Club. Here are the 5 most important things to know about perimenopause:

1. Perimenopausal women still have menstrual cycles.

This  means that you are still making estrogen, progesterone and testosterone from your ovaries. However, your cycles will start changing from what they used to be to what they are now. So your hormone production will become less reliable, and you will find yourself on a hormonal roller coaster ride. That’s when you will start experiencing symptoms.

2. Perimenopausal women experience the same symptoms as menopausal women do.

Hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, brain fog, fatigue, weight gain, reduced sex drive and too many more to list! But these two groups are physiologically different. Your symptoms are caused by hormonal ups and downs. Menopausal women experience symptoms because their ovaries have hit retirement. No more hormonal ups. It’s all downhill.

3. Perimenopausal women can still get pregnant.

While it’s certainly more difficult, it’s not impossible. Do not throw out your contraception yet!

4. Perimenopausal women are not menopausal, so the treatment choices are different.

The best choice for non-smokers is the use of a continuous low-dose birth control pill. That will get you off the chaotic hormonal roller coaster and onto the steady tram ride.

You are not yet candidates for hormone therapy. Wait until you join the Menopause Club to explore these options.

5. Perimenopause is a great time in life to take stock of making better exercise and healthy eating choices.

Grab a handful of almonds and crunchy carrots, and let’s take a brisk walk around the park for starters. The best approach to a healthy midlife starts with lifestyle choices.

The most important piece of information that I can impart to you is that once you are all done making babies, it is time to graduate to a GYN who specializes in midlife women’s health. We are out there. Go to www.menopause.org to find us!

If you are dealing with difficult perimenopause symptoms, let me hear from you in the comment section below.