Perimenopause is the period leading up to menopause in which your hormones (estrogen and progesterone) start to deplete. This period could last for weeks, months or years. There is no way to predict how long your own perimenopausal stage will last, or when it will begin, but there are ways to determine if you’re currently in perimenopause.
For some women, perimenopause might not happen until they’re a year away from 50. For other women, it’s not uncommon to hit perimenopause in your mid-40’s. The lucky ones might not even know they’re going through perimenopause and be symptom-free. Although, for most of us, it’s the symptoms that are the biggest indicator.
How Does Perimenopause Differ From Menopause Itself?
When you are officially menopausal this means you won’t have had a period for 12 consecutive months. From this point onwards your body no longer produces estrogen and progesterone. During perimenopause, your body is still producing these hormones, but over time this becomes less and less.
Perimenopause
The most obvious sign that you’re in perimenopause is when your period become erratic. Bleeding could become heavier or lighter than usual and of course irregular. You could even go several months without a period and still be classed as perimenopause. Remember it’s not until you’ve had 12 consecutive months without a bleed that you can class yourself as officially menopausal. It’s also not uncommon to go through perimenopause in your early 40’s.
Symptoms themselves can be very similar to menopause, including the following:
- Hot flushes
- Night Sweats
- Low Energy
- More Energy
- Mood Swings
- Weight Gain
- Irregular Or Heavy Periods
- Heart Palpitations
- Loss Of Sex Drive
- Vaginal Dryness
- Lack Of Concentration
- Lapses Of Memory
- Urinary Incontinence
- Bladder Infections
- Hair Loss
- Breast Soreness Tenderness
The most common symptoms reported to us by women in perimenopause are hot flushes, night sweats and mood swings. If you’re struggling with any of the symptoms mentioned above, please note that our LaBalance device works for both menopause and perimenopause.
LaBalance is a completely natural device that is worn 24/7 attached to your underwear. It works by rebalancing the autonomic nervous system (ANS) which is at an unbalance due to fluctuating hormonal changes. In a study we carried out to test the benefits of LaBalance, 71% of women reported benefits from up to 24 different symptoms of menopause and perimenopause.