Navigating Perimenopause

Perimenopause is a natural phase marked by hormonal changes that can cause various symptoms, but with the right awareness, lifestyle adjustments, and support from Nova Vita’s personalized services like hormone replacement, women can effectively manage this transition and maintain their well-being.

If you’re in your 30s or early 40s and have started to notice irregular periods, mood swings, heat flashes, or new physical changes, you might be experiencing perimenopause. This natural stage is the lead-up to menopause, where hormonal shifts bring about changes that can feel unfamiliar and sometimes challenging. Many women experience a range of symptoms as their hormones change during the months or years leading up to menopause, the natural end of menstruation.

Menopause is a point in time, but perimenopause is an extended transitional state. Understanding
what’s happening in your body can make the transition smoother. In this article, we’ll explore what to expect during perimenopause and offer practical tips for managing symptoms so you can navigate this time with greater ease.

Nova Vita Solutions

At Nova Vita, we offer a range of services to help women manage the symptoms of perimenopause and restore hormonal balance. Our holistic approach combines advanced lab testing, awareness, and personalized treatments to support women during this transition. Our lab testing identifies hormonal imbalances contributing to symptoms like mood swings, fatigue, and weight gain. Understanding hormone levels allows us to create personalized treatment plans that address the root causes. Our IV infusions, rich in vitamins like B12, C, and D, can boost energy, improve mood, and support overall well being, helping women feel more balanced and revitalized.

Peptides like BPC-157 can promote tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and support hormonal balance, helping to alleviate common symptoms such as joint pain and fatigue during perimenopause. For women experiencing more severe symptoms, we offer safe and personalized hormone replacement therapy. By restoring hormone levels, HRT can significantly reduce hot flashes, night sweats, and mood disturbances. Lastly, Weight fluctuations are common during perimenopause due to hormonal changes. Our medically supervised weight management programs, including options like Semaglutide therapy, can help women maintain a healthy weight and improve overall metabolic health.

Book an appointment today and let Nova Vita help you take control of your health during
perimenopause, reducing symptoms and promoting long-term wellness.

What is Perimenopause?

Perimenopause is the transitional phase leading up to menopause when a woman’s body begins
to experience hormonal changes, particularly a decline in estrogen production. This stage can
start several years before menopause, typically in a woman’s 40s, but it varies widely, with some
women entering perimenopause in their 30s or 50s. During this time, the ovaries gradually
produce less estrogen, which affects menstrual cycles and leads to other physical and emotional
changes.

One of the hallmark signs of perimenopause is irregular periods. As ovarian function declines,
menstrual cycles may become shorter, longer, heavier, or lighter, with no predictable pattern.
While some women may breeze through this phase with few symptoms, others may experience a
range of challenges, from hot flashes and night sweats to mood swings and fatigue.

Perimenopause can last anywhere from a few months to as long as a decade, but on average, it
spans three to four years. The length of perimenopause varies greatly between women,
depending on factors like genetics, health, and lifestyle. It begins with the onset of irregular
menstrual cycles and ends one year after the final menstrual period, marking the official
transition into menopause.

Perimenopause Symptoms

It can be difficult to differentiate the symptoms of perimenopause from general changes due to aging or common midlife events such as relationship or career changes, becoming empty nesters, or the death of a loved one. It’s unlikely that perimenopause symptoms depend entirely on hormonal fluctuations.

● Irregular Periods: As hormone levels fluctuate, menstrual cycles become unpredictable. Periods may be longer, shorter, heavier, or lighter than usual, and some cycles may be skipped altogether.

● Hot flashes and night sweats: 35-50% of perimenopausal women suffer from extreme waves of body heat with sweating and flushing that lasts 5-10 minutes. Hot flashes may happen during the day, while night sweats occur during sleep.

● Uterine bleeding: During perimenopause, lower levels of progesterone lead to a lack of regulation in the growth of the endometrium (the uterine lining), which can cause the lining to become thicker before it’s eventually shed. As a result, many women experience heavier, longer periods. Additionally, conditions such as fibroids (benign growths in the uterine wall) and endometriosis (where endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus) can worsen during perimenopause due to their reliance on estrogen.

● Vaginal Dryness: Decreased estrogen levels can cause thinning and drying of the vaginal tissues, leading to discomfort, itching, or pain during intercourse.

● Sleep disturbances: Many women experience difficulty falling or staying asleep, often due to night sweats or hormonal changes affecting sleep patterns.

● Mood Changes: Mood swings, irritability, or feelings of anxiety and depression may occur as a result of hormonal fluctuations. Women are 40% more likely to experience depression during perimenopause than those who aren’t experiencing any menopausal symptoms. Some women may be more vulnerable than others to hormone-related mood changes.

● Decreased Libido: Changes in hormone levels may reduce sexual desire or arousal for some women during perimenopause.

● Memory and Concentration Issues: Some women report difficulties with focus, and memory, or experiencing “brain fog” during perimenopause.

How Is Perimenopause Diagnosed?

Perimenopause is primarily diagnosed based on symptoms and age, as there is no single definitive test. Your healthcare providers will review your medical history, symptoms, and menstrual patterns to make an assessment. Common symptoms like irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, and changes in sexual function can signal the onset of perimenopause.

Your doctor may recommend blood tests to measure fluctuating hormone levels, such as follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estrogen. Since hormone levels can vary significantly during perimenopause, these tests may not always provide a clear answer. Doctors might also rule out other conditions, like thyroid disorders, that can cause similar symptoms.

Treating Perimenopause

Several treatments are available to manage perimenopause and maintain your quality of life.

● Hormone therapy: Hormone therapy is one of the most effective treatments for regulating hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause. Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone can be prescribed to help balance hormones, reduce hot flashes, improve mood, and stabilize menstrual cycles. Hormone therapy is available in different forms, such as pills, patches, gels, or creams, and can be tailored to the individual.

● Antidepressants: For women experiencing mood swings, anxiety, or depression related to hormonal changes, low doses of antidepressants (SSRIs or SNRIs) can help manage these symptoms. While they may not directly affect hormone levels, antidepressants can be helpful for mood regulation and alleviating hot flashes in some women.

● Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps manage perimenopause symptoms like mood swings, anxiety, and sleep disturbances by helping women reframe negative thoughts, develop healthier coping strategies, and improve emotional resilience. It addresses issues like depression and insomnia, teaching women to regain control over their well-being during this transition.

● Non-Hormonal Medications: For women who cannot or choose not to use hormone therapy, there are non-hormonal medications available, such as Gabapentin (for hot flashes) or Clonidine (for blood pressure control and hot flashes), which can help manage specific symptoms.

● Lifestyle Changes: Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and stress management techniques like meditation or yoga can improve overall well-being and may help reduce perimenopausal symptoms. Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, and limiting alcohol consumption are also recommended for managing this transition.

● Supplements: Discuss with your doctor about adding over-the-counter supplements, like
phytoestrogens or black cohosh to your daily routine.

Takeaway

Perimenopause is a natural but often challenging transition that can significantly impact a woman’s physical and emotional well-being. Understanding the symptoms and having strategies in place—such as lifestyle changes, medical treatments, and therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)—can help manage the discomfort. By staying informed and seeking support, women can navigate perimenopause with greater ease and maintain a better quality of life. Book an appointment with Nova Vita to regulate hormone levels, reduce symptoms, and feel your best self!