Perimenopause is a transition phase leading up to menopause, during which a woman’s body begins to experience significant hormonal shifts that signal the end of her reproductive years.
Every woman will eventually go through the climacteric stage, triggering these hormonal changes, notes Dr. Claudio Góngora Lastra, a gynecological endocrinologist specializing in climacteric care at Centro Médico ABC.
Menopause is officially your very last menstrual period, whereas the climacteric encompasses this entire process of transition before, during, and after menopause. The age at which menopause occurs can vary significantly from woman to woman.
The underlying causes of the climacteric are due to declining levels of sex hormones: estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone. As these hormone levels drop, a woman’s body begins to undergo noticeable changes.
What Is Perimenopause?
During perimenopause, which occurs toward the end of a woman’s reproductive stage, the body experiences various biological and hormonal fluctuations.
Hormonally, the ovaries begin producing lower amounts of estrogen and progesterone—the hormones responsible for regulating the menstrual cycle and fertility.
This process is not the same for every woman and can vary considerably in both duration and intensity.
Physiologically, a woman’s body adapts to these shifting hormone levels, which often manifests as less predictable menstrual cycles, complete with changes in flow volume and duration.
Perimenopause is a natural and expected phase of life, and seeking guidance from medical professionals is important to manage these changes as effectively as possible.
Perimenopause Symptoms
From the time a woman enters the climacteric stage, she may notice a variety of changes associated with menopause.
Perimenopause Symptoms Include:
- Irregular periods
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Mood swings
- Sleep disturbances
- Vaginal dryness
- Decreased libido
- Changes in skin and hair
- Fatigue
- Brain fog and cognitive difficulties
During Menopause, Symptoms May Include:
- Complete cessation of menstruation
- Changes in bone density (which can lead to osteoporosis)
- Changes in the skin (reduced elasticity and moisture)
During Postmenopause, Women May Experience Symptoms Such As:
- Visual disturbances
- Weight gain
- Hair thinning or loss
- Dizziness
- Dry skin
- Fluid retention
- Incontinence or other urinary changes
It is worth noting that hot flashes, vaginal dryness, night sweats, low libido, mood swings, and sleep issues can occur across all three stages.
Among all symptoms, hot flashes are the most common. They are felt as a sudden rush of heat caused by a dysfunction in the brain’s temperature regulation. Estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone normally help maintain this balance; as levels drop, the brain struggles to regulate body temperature, resulting in uncomfortable hot flashes.
At What Age Does Menopause Begin?
As previously mentioned, these changes can present very differently from one woman to another. Generally, however, perimenopause begins between the ages of 40 and 50. The term menopause applies officially once a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a period. Therefore, a woman who had her last period at age 40 is considered to have reached menopause at age 41.
Postmenopause is recognized once another full year has passed without menstruation, and it continues for the rest of a woman’s life.
The entire climacteric phase can span from five years before menopause to up to 15 years after—meaning it can last for up to two decades. Because of this, seeking timely medical care is of great importance.
As a woman, you should pay attention to your periods and notice any changes, such as alterations in color, duration, or flow. Perceiving one or more of these changes may indicate that you are approaching the start of your climacteric stage.
If you have the slightest suspicion that you are entering the climacteric phase or menopause, it is important to consult a doctor to identify your symptoms and determine whether they are related. If so, your physician will offer recommendations, prescribe specialized treatment if needed, or refer you to another specialist.
Dr. Góngora emphasizes that every case is unique, and consequently, your treatment plan will be tailored specifically to you. Starting in your 40s, new health conditions such as diabetes or hypertension may arise; when combined with menopausal or climacteric symptoms, these conditions can worsen. For this reason, keeping up with regular health checkups without fail is essential.
An important point to keep in mind is that the climacteric stage and menopause are completely natural phases of life. The first steps in navigating them successfully are maintaining a positive attitude, eating well, getting adequate rest, exercising, and keeping up with your medical appointments.
At the Women’s Center at Centro Médico ABC, we provide specialized care. Contact us today!
