Perimenopause refers to the biological transition from a woman’s child-bearing years into menopause. Menopause has three stages, perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause.
During the shift to perimenopause, the ovaries slowdown production of the hormone, estrogen. This reduction in estrogen results in your periods becoming irregular or erratic and a sign your body is ending its reproductive capability.
The onset of perimenopause is different for all women. Typically, it happens in the early to mid-50s, but some women experience in in their 30s. Most women shift from perimenopause to full menopause in a few years, but for some unfortunate souls, it can last anywhere from four to eight years.
Your doctor describes perimenopause as the time when your periods become irregular and they’re harder to predict. During perimenopause, it’s possible for women to fall pregnant even in the face of declining hormone levels, so take that into consideration in your relationship.
Typically, women know they’re out of perimenopause and into the second stage after they go without their period for 12 months.
What Triggers Perimenopause?
Estrogen drops during menopause as your body prepares to stop releasing eggs. When your body does make the transition into menopause, you lose the ability to conceive. For many women, menopause marks the end of one chapter of their life. While its somewhat sad, its just a natural progression of the reproductive cycle.
While menopause causes changes in periods, women must look for the following signs that may indicate other conditions causing the issue. Menopause might not be the cause of the problem, and some could cause health complications. Speak to your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms.
- You notice blood clots in your periods and an increase to heavier flow.
- Your periods extend by several days longer than normal.
- Your periods get closer together.
- You bleed or spot after having your period.
- You notice spotting after sex.
You’re still releasing eggs if you’re getting your period, even if its irregular. You can assume you’re still ovulating unless you’ve gone longer than 12 months without your period.
When Does Perimenopause Start?
For most women, perimenopause starts eight to ten years before the onset of full menopause and usually it’s in their mid-40s when the first signs of the condition start to appear.
However, some women might experience perimenopause in their 30s, and it lasts longer than the average timeframe for the transition.
Women that go through menopause before turning 40 experience “premature menopause.” Medical procedures or “primary ovarian insufficiency” can cause the early onset of menopause.
Perimenopause Causes Hormonal Changes
Menopause is all about the reduction of progesterone and estrogen, resulting in thinning of the vaginal walls. The cervix gland loses its ability to secrete lubricants, and sex becomes dry and painful. This reduction in hormones not only affects the health of the vagina, but it also takes a toll on many other physiological processes in the body.
When estrogen levels decrease during menopause, it disrupts the balance with progesterone, another vital female hormone secreted by the ovaries. These hormones control menstruation and ovulation.
Women may experience fluctuations in their hormone levels during perimenopause. It’s a rollercoaster ride, and you can’t get off. By the time you finish with perimenopause and head into the main event, you’re no longer producing enough estrogen to ovulate or menstruate, and that’s when you officially enter menopause.
What are the Signs & Symptoms of Perimenopause?
The first sign of entering perimenopause is irregularity in your period. Women go from a predictable cycle into chaos, and their period may swing by weeks. You may also notice the onset of hot flushes and vaginal dryness, resulting in itching and irritation.
As the vaginal walls atrophy and thin, sex becomes more painful. Some women decide to abstain from intercourse, much to the dismay of their partner. Some of the other signs and symptoms of perimenopause include the following.
- Skipping your period
- Lighter or heavier periods than normal
- Hot flushes that spread throughout the body
- Urinary incontinence
- Lowered sleep quality
- Depression, irritability, and mood swings
Decreases in estrogen levels may also impact cholesterol levels or cause bone-thinning. Estrogen is a vital hormone for female health, and that’s why many women decide to turn to hormone replacement therapy to improve their quality of life.
HRT involves supplementing with estrogen in creams, pills, or e-rings. These products introduce exogenous estrogen into the body to replace your natural production.
Your doctor monitors the process and adjusts your medication according to your estrogen levels in bloodwork results. In many instance, HRT works like a charm, but that’s not always the case. HRT isn’t for all women. Some have a severely adverse response to the medication that’s as bad as going through menopause with no medical assistance.
Dealing with Vaginal Dryness During Perimenopause
Vaginal dryness is one of the most common symptoms of perimenopause. Fortunately, there are a few solutions to help you navigate this change. Most women start with using lubricants bought from stores or online vendors.
Lubricants come in silicone-based, water-based, and oil-based varieties, and each formulation has different characteristics and uses. However, lubricants can cause irritation to the vagina, especially those with flavorings or textures.
Some women use natural lubricants like coconut oil or olive oil to keep their vagina moist during the day and during sex. The issue with lubricants, natural or synthetic, is that they don’t give you a lasting solution and require frequent application. They’re messy and expensive, and most of them don’t work very well.
Lubracil – The lasting Solution to Vaginal Dryness
Lubracil presents a sustainable solution to vaginal dryness. This supplement involves taking two softgel capsules a day, and that’s all you need to end vaginal dryness forever.
Lubracil contains a proprietary, patented form of sea buckthorn oil, known as SBO17. This ingredient is rich in omega EFAs and vitamin E, keeping the vaginal tissues hydrated while stimulating secretions from the cervical gland.
Lubracil is the only product offering you lasting relief from vaginal dryness. The ingredients in these softgels gets to work immediately, and most women experience results after just two weeks of consistent supplementation. Try it today and experience the results for yourself.
