Perimenopause

Perimenopause

Peri-menopause is the 2-12 years before menopause, and is a time of great transition. It is often referred to as second puberty, due to fluctuating levels of hormones that result in a range of different symptoms.

During peri-menopause, we see an initial increase in oestrogen (followed by fluctuating oestrogen levels) and a decline in progesterone, which can lead to many of the common peri-menopausal symptoms including heavy periods. Progesterone declines by roughly 75% between the ages of 35 and 50 years, therefore supporting progesterone production is an important part of peri-menopausal symptom management.

Common symptoms:

• Hot flushes

• Mood changes

• Insomnia + night sweats

• Changes in menstrual cycle (longer bleed, irregular cycles, shorter cycles)

• Vaginal dryness & atrophy

• Low libido