Perimenopause Fact Sheet

Perimenopause is the transitional phase leading up to menopause. During perimenopause levels of oestrogen and progesterone, two key hormones start to fluctuate and reduce. This can cause women to start to experience menopausal symptoms whilst they are still having periods. Perimenopause can last for years (sometimes up to a decade) before menopause.

Our services are designed to help with your transition through this stage. Through our private consultations we support you to understand your changes and where necessary create treatment plans to alleviate your symptoms.

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Key facts on Perimenopause

Perimenopause is when a woman experiences menopausal symptoms but is still having periods.
It occurs around the age of 45 but can be earlier.
Fluctuating hormones mean symptoms often come and go.
For women aged 45 or older diagnosis is based on your symptoms – not blood tests.
Each woman is different and will experience different symptoms.
You don’t need to experience hot flushes or night sweats as some women won’t ever experience these.
Your periods don’t need to have stopped for you to receive treatment.

What are the symptoms of Perimenopause?

Some of the 34 symptoms can include:

Sleep Problems
Fatigue
Mood Changes – mood swings/sadness/low mood/depression/irritability/anger
Itchy Skin
Joint and muscle pains

What treatments are available for Perimenopause?

Hormonal Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Non-Hormonal Treatment including menopause cognitive behaviour therapy.
Lifestyle Treatment – to treat physical changes often triggered by the hormonal changes in perimenopause.

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When I was diagnosed with suspected Premature Ovarian Failure at 36, I felt completely lost. It had taken three doctors and a year of repeat visits to have my symptoms taken seriously, and while my doctor had prescribed HRT my symptoms were not resolved, and I thought that this was the best it was going to be. Accessing the Menopause and Wellness service through EAP has been life changing. Cory and Monica were the first people to take my symptoms seriously and were able to explain what was happening to my body and why. They recommended my medication be changed and explained that with the right dose, I could be symptom free. With the help of menopausal CBT, I have been able to get my sleep under control and for the first time in months I feel like I am able to thrive at work. Before meeting Monica and Cory I thought POF had ruined my life, but Menopause and Wellness have been able to help me get my life back.

Rachel, 37

“Since working with Monica, my GP is treating me for perimenopause symptoms. I am now sleeping better, feeling happier with less mood swings and my hot flushes and night sweats have completely gone. My energy levels are better too and for the first time in a long time I feel able to exercise and start to make some changes that will support my long-term health. I am now looking forward to the future which is a very different place to where I was before”.

Linda, 47

“After four years of suffering symptoms a work colleague talked to me about the work Monica is doing to help women with menopause. I was scared of HRT so I sat on it for a couple of weeks and then took the plunge to see her. When I saw her I was feeling scared that things would never be the same again and that my life was on a downward spiral. Thank you for helping me Monica! She validated what I felt and explained why I was feeling like this. I felt like I finally had an ally who really got what was going on with me. With her help I am back to my old self enjoying life again”.

Lucy, 54

I booked in for an appointment with Monica and the information shared was actually life-changing in my understanding of what's been happening to me over the past few years. Before seeing her I had been given some antidepressant tablets which didn’t help. It was comforting for her to tell me that I wasn’t depressed (which I already knew) and that antidepressant medicine doesn’t work for problems women have with their mood when it’s due to menopause. She talked me through what choices I had for treatment and helped me to get the treatment I needed to feel better. I would never have been able to get this if I had not had her help.

Helen 49

“ Monica listened to me about the changes I had been having and then she spoke to me about how these were to do with menopause. I honestly hadn’t made the connection that what was happening to me. I thought I was just getting older and had to put up with it. She helped me realise that I didn’t need to put up with not sleeping and being anxious and tired all of the time. I was so irritable and felt angry at nothing a lot of the time. I also had sore joints and my skin was constantly itchy. She worked with me on a treatment plan and three months on I honestly feel like I have been given my life back”.

Toni, 53

FAQs

For more information and advice get in touch today.

What is the difference between Perimenopause and Menopause?

Perimenopause is the transition period before menopause when a woman’s fertility hormones begin to decline. Here women can begin to experience menopause symptoms when they are still having periods. Perimenopause occurs around the age of 45 but can be earlier and can last for many years before menopause.

Menopause is a single moment in time that marks one year after a woman’s final menstrual period. Typically occurs around the age of 51.

How do I know when I’m in Perimenopause?

For most women, perimenopause occurs around the age of 45 but can be earlier. Perimenopause symptoms can begin up to a decade before menopause. So if you are aged 45+ and are experiencing some menopausal symptoms it’s likely that you are in perimenopause.

Why should I be concerned about my bone health and heart health in Perimenopause?

During perimenopause and menopause, women lose 3 key hormones Oestrogen, Progesterone and Testosterone – all of which play a key role in maintaining our health and wellbeing. Oestrogen plays a vital role in keeping our bones strong and healthy which protects them against breakage and diseases such as Osteoporosis. It also plays a vital role in keeping our heart and cardiac system healthy. When a woman loses Oestrogen they lose the heart and bone protective benefits they get from Oestrogen. The hormonal decline experienced by women during perimenopause and menopause heightens their risk of developing cardiovascular disease and experiencing heart attacks, strokes, blood clots and Osteoporosis in the future. Lifestyle treatment helps women manage their risk factors and significantly reduce their risk of future ill health. Don’t underestimate the importance of paying attention of your heart health and bone health in perimenopause. Your life quite literally depends on it.

What type of food should I be eating or avoid if I’m experiencing unpleasant symptoms of hormone imbalance in perimenopause?

Diet is one of the key lifestyle changes women can make during perimenopause that can have a real positive effect on their health and well-being during perimenopause. Research shows that eating a Mediterranean Diet is one of the best eating diets that supports women’s health.

It’s also important that women focus on balancing their blood sugar levels which will help stabilise their energy levels. Diet, alcohol, smoking, stress and inactivity are also lifestyle factors that can intensify or worsen menopause symptoms. That’s why lifestyle treatment is so important in perimenopause and menopause.

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