Peri -menopause and menopause are a hot topic currently! And for good reason. Menopause occurs when your menstrual cycle has stopped for 12 consecutive months. The average age of menopause is 51, but it can occur earlier or later than age 51. Once menopause occurs, estrogen levels decrease significantly for the rest of your life, unless augmented by hormonal replacement therapy. And often as we age, our other sex hormones decrease as well (Progesterone, Testosterone).

Peri-menopause refers to the time period before menopause actually occurs. Perimenopause can last 10+ years before menopause actually occurs! During this time, many symptoms can occur that are unfortunately often dismissed with health care providers.

Symptoms of perimenopause and menopause are:

  • Vaginal dryness
  • Low libido
  • Insomnia
  • Hot flashes
  • Heart palpitations
  • Dryness of eyes
  • Increased abdominal fat
  • Difficulty losing weight
  • Fatigue
  • Brain fog
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • And more!

Not having normal estrogen levels circulating throughout the body can have significant long term effects.

Post-Menopausal women are at increased risk of:

  • Osteoporosis, bone fractures
  • Alzheimer’s, cognitive decline
  • Heart disease
  • Genitourinary syndrome of menopause— which can cause urinary urgency, frequency, painful intercourse, and fragile vulvovaginal tissue

If you are exhibiting symptoms that you suspect are related to peri-menopause or menopause, please reach out to your medical care provider for further evaluation and help!