Premenopause: Definition, Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

You are undoubtedly familiar with menopause, but… Are you familiar with premenopause or perimenopause? Although a little-known subject, it is THE important period that precedes the gradual cessation of a woman's cycles. Irregular periods, night sweats, risk of cardiovascular disease… Some symptoms can disrupt your daily life. And even influence intimate aspects of your life, such as sexual intercourse. So, if you had questions about the menopausal transition or hormonal treatments to consider, you are in the right place. This article guides you to better understand this period and regain control of your well-being.

What is premenopause or perimenopause?

Premenopause, also called perimenopause, is a natural transition phase in a woman's life. It is often marked by significant hormonal fluctuations that announce the arrival of menopause and the end of periods.

What is the age for premenopause and its first symptoms?

For the majority of women, premenopause begins between the ages of 40 and 45. Your hormone levels then experience major upheavals. Your ovarian follicles have to revise their rhythm of work, because the production of estrogen and progesterone decreases… Until menopause is reached (which occurs on average between the ages of 45 and 55). According to Livi, during this transition period, 80% of women suffer from at least one of these unpleasant symptoms:

• hot flashes;
• night sweats;
• cycle irregularity;
• heavier (or lighter!) menstrual cycles;
• vaginal dryness;
• decreased bone density;
• joint pain and risk of osteoporosis;
• urinary tract infection;
• risk of stroke;
• sleep disturbances.

The duration of this transition phase remains, however, very variable: it takes between 2 and 4 years before menopause fully sets in.

Let's also note that 1% of women are affected by the hormonal fluctuations of premenopause before the age of 40: this is referred to as early menopause.

What test is used to know if you are in premenopause?

Unfortunately, there is no (yet!) specific hormonal test to establish a diagnosis of menopause. Because hormone levels fluctuate far too much during this period to be accurately analyzed.

However, if you are in doubt, you can consult your doctor. They will know how to ask the right questions and perform an examination to identify the cause of your symptoms.

In some cases, they may also offer you a hormonal check-up for women.

Premenopause symptoms: what you need to know

Spoiler alert: the symptoms of premenopause (or early menopause) can vary from one woman to another. The good news is that they are easily recognizable.

Hot flashes and night sweats

Among the most common symptoms in women's lives are… hot flashes and night sweats! Yes, this is due to the decrease in hormone levels (notably the decrease in estrogens and the deficiency in progesterone). This disrupts the body's temperature regulation system.

These vasomotor symptoms manifest as a sudden surge of heat, followed by excessive sweating, often in the upper body.

Night sweats, for their part, disrupt women's sleep and lead to chronic fatigue for some of them.

Vaginal dryness and low libido

The drop in estrogen levels in premenopausal women frequently leads to vaginal dryness. And this can make sexual intercourse uncomfortable, or even painful.

In addition to physical discomfort, these changes can lead to a period of vulnerability, affecting the couple's relationship and self-esteem.

Irregular or heavy periods

Before they stop definitively, menstrual cycles often become unpredictable. The duration of periods in premenopause can then vary more frequently.

Some premenopausal women also notice an increase in menstrual flow, with bleeding that is heavier or longer than usual. These irregularities are due to hormonal variations linked to the decrease in the levels of female hormones (estrogens and progesterone).

Once again, these annoying symptoms can be disruptive, but they are a normal stage of the menopausal transition.

Be careful, however! You are not infertile for all that. So, find out about the right contraception for menopause to adopt in your situation.

Sleep and mood disturbances

Sleep disturbances are frequent during the premenopause period. Insomnia or night waking can lead to accumulated fatigue, which affects women's quality of life. Many of them then feel significant mood swings:

• irritability;
• anxiety;
• or even depression.

Guess who is to blame? Yes, the hormones again! Because hormonal production (such as serotonin) directly influences the neurotransmitters linked to mood.

This is why it is important to pay attention to these psychological symptoms to prevent them from worsening.

Urinary weakness

Among these undesirable symptoms, there is also a weakening of the urinary tract, again linked to the drop in hormones in premenopausal women. This hormonal upheaval can affect the pelvic muscles and the bladder. This can lead to mild urinary incontinence – especially during physical exertion such as coughing, laughing, or exercising.

If this urinary incontinence bothers you, do not hesitate to consult your doctor: they may consider a hormonal treatment adapted to your situation.

Weight gain and metabolic slowdown

The perimenopause period is often accompanied by weight gain, particularly around the abdomen. Because the drop in hormones (including the female hormone estrogen) leads, among other things, to a slowing down of the metabolism.

With age, muscle mass decreases and the body tends to store fat more easily. Some premenopausal women experience this period with a lot of frustration. Especially if they have not changed their dietary habits or their physical activity routine.

How to manage premenopause symptoms on a daily basis?

Good news! There are plenty of ways to better experience the menopausal transition on a daily basis:

• Focus on foods rich in calcium and vitamin D to support your bone density and limit joint pain. Do not skimp on sources of Omega-3s to help regulate moods. Conversely, reduce your consumption of alcohol and spicy foods, which can trigger certain undesirable symptoms.
• As for physical activity, regularly practice gentle exercises, such as yoga or brisk walking. This will allow you to maintain an active metabolism and manage your stress.
• Sleep in light clothing to limit nocturnal hot flashes. This will help you get better quality sleep.
• Do you like natural remedies? Now is the time to make the most of them! Herbal infusions, such as sage or red clover, can also relieve vasomotor symptoms. You can also take a course of iron supplements to boost yourself up quickly.
• If you suffer from vaginal dryness, know that there are very simple solutions, such as lubricants to improve your sex life or an adapted hormonal treatment (prescribed by a doctor). Which can really reduce the appearance of symptoms of this kind.

However, if all these symptoms become too bothersome, do not hesitate to consult a healthcare professional. They will be able to offer you hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or localized hormonal treatments for vaginal dryness.

Premenopause, or menopausal transition, is a natural phase that can bring its share of physical and emotional changes. By better understanding the general symptoms and adopting adapted solutions, you can go through this period more serenely. Keeping in mind that healthcare professionals remain at your disposal to prescribe medical treatment, if needed!