How Can My Menstrual Cycle Change During Perimenopause?
Menopause is something that every woman both fears and dreads a little bit. Stopping your period might sound great after so many decades of dealing with it, but all of the other symptoms of menopause make you pay for it!
There’s a slight misconception when it comes to menopause. Most people know that it has to do with your period stopping, but you aren’t actually considered in menopause until you’ve gone a full year without having a period. The time before that happens, where you’re experiencing the classic symptoms like hot flashes and trouble sleeping, is actually called perimenopause, the transitional period where your hormones start changing in preparation for your period to stop completely. As you enter this portion of your life, you can experience a lot of changes to your periods themselves, leaving you dealing with a cycle that you might feel you had just figured out! Knowing what to expect can be helpful in dealing with these changes, so here are some of the ways that perimenopause affects your menstrual cycle.
Changing Cycle
Most women, once their bodies have reached full maturity, enter some state of regularity with their periods, even though “regular” can look incredibly different from person to person. Some people may get their period every twenty-eight days like clockwork, while others get it every three months. What matters is that everyone has the frequency that’s normal for them.
Perimenopause is likely to come in and completely disrupt that cycle that you’ve gotten used to. You may find that your periods are noticeably longer or shorter than they used to be, or that they’re heavier or lighter than before. (If they become significantly heavier to the point where you’re bleeding through pads and tampons in under a few hours, it’s time to see your doctor. The same goes for if you’re bleeding longer than seven days.) You might have your cycle shift a few days or even weeks earlier or later than normal, and you may even see a change in your menstrual blood– it may be a different color or consistency than before.
Irregular Periods
As if your periods suddenly changing their schedule wasn’t bad enough, sometimes in perimenopause, you can just skip a period or several for no apparent reason. This can be alarming for most adult women, as it’s typically a sign of either pregnancy or a serious health problem, like malnourishment. When menopause is approaching, however, it’s not usually a sign that anything is wrong. Your body is simply changing and experiencing extreme hormonal changes, and it’s no different to young girls missing periods when their cycle is first starting up.
If you’re sexually active during perimenopause, just remember that ovulation does still occur at this point in your life, and you can still get pregnant! Be sure to use a reliable method of birth control if that’s not what you want right now, and keep an eye on your cycle as usual, skipped periods and all.
Spotting
Spotting is a very annoying symptom of perimenopause, but a common one nevertheless. Spotting is light bleeding, usually not enough to require a pad or tampon. It’s common to experience spotting right before or after your period, or right around the middle of your cycle when ovulation occurs. If your spotting is becoming very bothersome, it’s a good idea to start keeping track of it in an app or journal so that you can relay that information to your doctor. They’ll help you determine if it’s normal or not, and if there’s anything you should do about it.
Increased PMS Symptoms
Headaches, cramps, backaches, mood swings, bloating– the list of unpleasant PMS symptoms goes on and on, and unfortunately, some women get far more acquainted with this list during perimenopause than any other time in their lives. The shifting hormone levels of this change can sometimes translate into an increase in the severity of your PMS symptoms, and your period can become more difficult to deal with than ever.
To deal with these symptoms, all the usual suspects are a good place to start– prioritize a regular sleep schedule, healthy eating, and moderate exercise, reduce your stress levels, increase your water intake and lower your caffeine and alcohol intake, and so on. However, if you still find that an encroaching period is taking you out of commission these days, it might be time to speak to a professional about other ways to start feeling better. Going on a birth control pill can sometimes help, and hormone replacement therapy can often be transformative for women approaching menopause. If you’re interested in learning more, let Renewed Vitality bring you into the loop!
Are you or a loved one feeling especially tired, moody, and hot? Or perhaps struggling with weight gain and insomnia? Especially for women in your forties or fifties, you may be experiencing perimenopause/menopause, a natural transition that marks the end of your reproductive years.
While menopause is a natural part of aging, it can also be a challenging time for many women. To help navigate this transition, below are five mistakes that are all too easy to make during perimenopause/menopause and how to avoid them.
Ignoring Your Symptoms
For many women, a common first mistake is simply ignoring their new symptoms or dismissing them as part of aging. While it is true that menopause is a natural process, it doesn’t mean you have to suffer in silence. Symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and insomnia can have a significant impact on your quality of life. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about your options. There are also many safe and effective treatments available, including our own hormone replacement therapy (HRT) options, at-home lifestyle changes, and more.
Not Getting Enough Exercise
It’s so easy to ignore exercise, but it’s essential to maintaining a healthy body and a high quality of life. Regular exercise helps maintain good health at any age, but it is especially important during perimenopause/menopause. Exercise can help you manage your weight, reduce your risk of chronic diseases, and boost your mood. It can also help you sleep better, which is crucial during this time when insomnia is a common complaint. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming.
Eating a Poor Diet
It’s easy to forget that what you eat can have a significant impact on your health and well-being, even affecting your symptoms during perimenopause/menopause. A diet high in processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats can contribute to weight gain, inflammation, and other health problems. On the other hand, a diet rich in whole foods, fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats can help you manage your symptoms, reduce your risk of chronic diseases, and feel your best.
Abandoning Sexual Activity
Perimenopause and Menopause symptoms can make previously enjoyable things very challenging for women, particularly when it comes to sexual desire and enjoyment. Hormonal changes during the early stages of perimenopause can have a significant impact on how comfortable and enthusiastic you feel about sex. With so many physical and emotional changes to navigate, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and start to withdraw from your partner as a way of coping with the transition. However, your partner may misinterpret your lack of sexual initiation or enjoyment as a lack of attraction or interest in them, which can create distance and impact their sexual confidence.
To overcome this, the first step is to have an honest conversation about the emotional and physical changes you are experiencing. Explain that it may take longer to become aroused, that dryness can cause pain and discomfort, and that you may not understand your body as well as you used to. Most partners will be sympathetic and understanding, and working together, you can start to rekindle your desire and experiment with different types of natural lubrication to make sex enjoyable, comfortable, and intimate once again.
Neglecting Your Mental Health
Perimenopause/menopause can be a stressful time for many women. You may be dealing with changes in your body, your relationships, and your sense of identity. It is essential to take care of your mental health during this time. Talk to a trusted and licensed mental health professional if you are struggling with anxiety, depression, or other emotional issues. Practice stress-reducing techniques like mindfulness meditation, yoga, or deep breathing. Connect with supportive friends and family members and join a menopause support group if you need additional support.
Perimenopause/menopause is a natural transition that marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years. While it can be a challenging time for many, it is also an opportunity to focus on your health and well-being. By avoiding these five common mistakes, you can manage your symptoms, reduce your risk of chronic diseases, and feel your best.
Contact Renewed Vitality to learn more about how our hormone therapy treatment options can alleviate perimenopause/menopause symptoms. Our expert team is dedicated to helping you feel like yourself again!
