Managing Perimenopausal Symptoms: Learn Your Options

Menopause is a normal phase in a woman’s life. It is the period of life when there are no menstrual periods for more than 12 months. Women usually enter menopause at the age of 50. However, some women do experience prematuremenopause, before the age of 40.

Perimenopause is the time that leads to menopause.

Perimenopausal Symptoms

• Cessation of the menstrual periods,
• Irregular menstrual bleeding,
• Hot flashes,
• Sleeping problems,
• Mood changes,
• Vaginal problems
• Bladder problems,
• Changes in the sexual activity and function,
• Decreasing fertility,
• Loss of bone,
• Change in the cholesterol levels, etc.

Some women have difficulties coping with the signs and symptoms of the perimeopausal time, while for others this change in the body occurs unnoticed. Talk to your health care provider for any treating options in order to relief from severe perimenopausal symptoms. Available medical and surgical options include oral contraceptives, cyclic progestin therapy, endometrial ablation, etc.

The change of lifestyle sometimes makes a huge difference in how you feel and really help relief the perimenopausal symptoms.

Recommended Lifestyle Changes

Exercise is always recommended, especially in the perimenopausal period. Walk, run, or do a Pilate’s class. Anything else you like. Exercise reduces the number and the severity of hot flashes.

Stop smoking. If you are a smoker you should stop smoking or you should try to reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke daily. The more you smoke, the more hot flashes you will have. Not to mention all the other negative effects that smoking does to your body.

Lose weight. Obese women are more likely to have hot flashes than women with a normal weight. The hot flashes are more likely to be severe and frequent than in women with normal weight. Start eating healthy food and exercise more. A healthy diet and daily physical activity can make a difference.

Wear comfortable clothes with natural materials like cotton and silk.

Sleeping Problems Solutions in Perimenopausal Period

Practice stress reduction techniques like deep breathing, meditation, etc. Anything that can help you relax will do you good. Reducing stress can help you combat the sleeping problems in the perimenopausal period.

Whether you are having problems falling asleep, staying asleep or even waking up too early, there are many things that can help you have a good night’s sleep. Sleep in a cool and dark room. Avoid alcohol, nicotine and caffeine. Wear comfortable underwear like cotton or silk sleep clothes. Sleeping in the nude will also do you good, with just a thin sheet covering you.

If you are using medications in order to relief your perimenopausal symptoms, combine them with the above mentioned relaxing methods. The lifestyle changes when combined together with the medication will be more effective in relieving the perimenopausal symptoms.

Medications to Treat Perimenopausal Symptoms

• Hormone therapy – estrogen pills are the most effective treatment method that helps relieve the symptoms of th perimenopausal period. Progestin is often used in addition to estrogen.
• Vaginal estrogen – in order to relieve vaginal dryness, discomfort during sexual activity, etc. It can be administrated directly to the vagina using a vaginal tablet, cream or ring.
• Antidepressants – in order to reduce the hot flashes and the mood changes. SSRI drugs are the most used.