Perimenopause and Menopause are often conflated as the same thing when in reality, these are distinct transitional phases in every women’s life with different symptoms, timeframes, and ways to manage them. Understanding the difference between them can help you navigate these difficult periods and approach them more effectively instead of letting their symptoms consume you.
What Is Perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the transitional period leading up to menopause. This phase typically begins from the age of 40 but can begin in your mid-30s. It isn’t a sudden event, but rather a gradual process that can last anywhere from 2 to 10 years.
During perimenopause, the ovaries gradually produce less oestrogen and your hormone levels fluctuate erratically. These fluctuations are responsible for most perimenopausal symptoms.
Symptoms of Perimenopause:
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Hot flashes
- Poor Sleep
- Mood fluctuations
- Decreased libido
- Cognitive impairment
- Decreased bone density: Beginning of potential bone loss
- Weight gain
The key difference of perimenopause in comparison to menopause is that you still have menstrual periods, even if they’re irregular, and you can still become pregnant during this time.
What Is Menopause?
Menopause is marked by the point when you’ve gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. It marks the end of your reproductive period and typically occurs in your 50s, though this is dependent on when your transitional stage of perimenopause begins and ends.
During menopause, your ovaries have stopped releasing eggs and producing oestrogen.
Symptoms of Menopause:
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Continued sleep issues
- Notable vaginal and urinary changes
- Increased bone-density loss
- Changes in heart health
- Metabolic changes and accelerated weight gain
How to Prepare for Perimenopause
- Track your menstrual cycle and symptoms: Be more vigilant in noticing changes in your menstrual cycle, mood fluctuation and general physical wellbeing.
- Understand your level of baseline health: Before entering this transitional phase of life, establish where you are in terms of overall health with detailed blood tests and a cardiovascular assessment.
- Optimise your nutrient intake: Consume more foods with anti-inflammatory foods that are rich with nutrients like magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Build bone and muscle strength: Incorporate weight and strength training into your exercise routine as this will aid you in combatting the excessive loss of both muscle and bone density.
- Establish daily stress management techniques: Find simple and manageable methods that work for you such as meditation and breathing exercises, that help you mitigate stress levels before your symptoms begin to intensify.
- Explore natural support options: Natural adaptogens and other natural remedies may assist you in alleviating your symptoms.
- Prioritise sleep: Establish easy-to-follow sleep routines before persistent sleep issues become more of a burden.
How to Prepare for Menopause
-
- Evaluate hormone therapy options: If your symptoms are having a noticeable impact on your daily life, discuss the benefits of hormone replacement therapy with your doctor.
- Focus on bone health: Ensure that you’re getting adequate calcium and vitamin D and evaluate bone-building supplements.
- Consider cardiovascular risk factors: With the loss of oestrogen comes the loss of its protective effects on the heart so pay closer attention to factors that affect heart health such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and other factors.
- Maintain pelvic floor strength: Incorporate Kegel exercises and look into pelvic floor physical therapy to aid in countering the effects of oestrogen loss on these tissues.
- Explore vaginal health treatments: Evaluate using moisturisers, lubricants or low-dose vaginal oestrogen treatments to address the dryness and discomfort that can occur during menopause.
Change your skincare routine: Skin becomes drier and thinner during this shift so consider different options that will accommodate these changes.
Embrace the Transition
Both perimenopause and menopause bring their own challenges throughout your body’s transition but they give you an opportunity to understand your body more comprehensively and make some changes that may benefit you in a more positive manner.
By understanding the difference between them and preparing yourself for these phases, you can navigate these transitions with ease and comfort.
Getting Professional Care
At Levitas Hormone Clinic, we understand the great effect perimenopause and menopause have in the daily lives of women. Our hormone clinics in Knightsbridge, Kensington, Marylebone and our other locations in London and Surrey, present an affordable and secure environment to get the help you need.
While both transitional phases in a woman’s life can present increased challenges, we provide you with the assurance of experience and personalised care to help you through this new journey in life.
