What Is Perimenopause?

It's common to hear woman talk about 'going through menopause', but the truth is that menopause itself begins the day that you have gone 12 months without a period. The time leading up to menopause is called perimenopause (or sometimes premenopause) and it can start in women as young as What are some of the signs and symptoms that signal the onset of perimenopause? What is Perimenopause? - Changes in Your Menstrual Cycle This is the most common perimenopausal symptom. Women entering perimenopause often have changes in the length of their cycle (time from one period to the next), duration and flow of their menstrual period. The menstrual cycle can become longer or shorter dedicated server, the duration of your period may be a week or a day, and the flow can be much heavier or much lighter than usual - and it can al change from one month to the next.Hot flashes are perhaps the best known and most joked about of perimenopausal symptoms - but it's no laughing matter for the women who suffer them. Hot flashes are characterized by a sensation of heat to the upper body that comes on rapidly, and can produce extreme discomfort and profuse perspiration. If they happen in your sleep, they're known as night sweats, and are often followed by an uncomfortable chill. Hot flashes can be accompanied by headache, nausea, dizziness and acute anxiety. What is Perimenopause? - Vaginal Dryness Vaginal dryness is one of the less spoken about signs of perimenopause. It can lead to itching and discomfort around the opening of the vagina, similar to the sensation of a yeast infection. Vaginal dryness can also cause discomfort during sex which can lead to a decreased desire for sex. Some women find that using a lubricant during sex helps.