Are You Experiencing Perimenopause? Take Our Quiz to Find Out

Menopause is a tough transition for many women. It's that time in your life when you stop menstruating, and your body changes significantly. You may notice mood swings or weight fluctuations, but this doesn't mean that you are experiencing perimenopause! Read below to find out how to tell if you are going through this difficult stage of life.

How Do You Know If You're In A Perimenopause?

It's not always easy to know if you are experiencing perimenopause. The symptoms can come and go, making it hard to tell the difference between what is happening now versus just a bad day. One way that can help give some clarity is by talking with your healthcare provider about your symptoms. This will give them an idea of what you're going through and they'll be able to determine more easily whether or not this is the case. For example, if you have been dealing with hot flashes for months on end but then one month they disappear without explanation, there might be something else going on behind the scenes that need to be addressed. Listed below are common questions to find out if you're experiencing perimenopause.

Do you feel sweaty at night, sick, or experiencing hot flashes?

If you’re experiencing symptoms such as these, then you might be going through perimenopause. Perimenopause describes the transition from menstruating to not menstruating brought on by changes in your hormones and body.

Do you become more emotional, nervous, or irritated than you used to?

Be gentle with yourself, you’re not alone. Women often experience mood changes during perimenopause (the period leading up to menopause) and after it's all finished, some symptoms can be linked such as difficulty sleeping through the night or feeling sad for no reason at times.

Do you sometimes have difficulty concentrating? Do you have occasional memory loss?

Do you feel an increased sense of anxiety and depression? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then you may be experiencing perimenopause. Perimenopause (pre-menopausal transition) refers to a time in your life when hormonal fluctuations can cause significant changes in your mood and energy levels, affecting every area of your life from work to family relationships.

Do you have trouble sleeping?

Sleep disturbances are common among women. Nearly 40% of them say they do, taking longer to fall asleep or experiencing nighttime waking up after a short nap. Many experiences these issues most strongly during perimenopause and those who have gone through hysterectomies (surgical menopausal).

Have you experienced physical changes? Were you not expecting them?

Leading up to menopause and after, the estrogen levels in a woman’s body decrease. This can affect skin collagen causing wrinkles as well as joint pain or fatigue which leads many women to report gaining weight around their waistlines even if they are exercising regularly for a while now. Women's metabolisms slow down with age but dieting is important too so that unwanted pounds don't pile onto you.

Has it been more than 12 months since your last period?

If you have been going through a period of 12 consecutive months without menstruating, it is possible for the symptoms associated with menopause to show up earlier, during perimenopause. Most women begin experiencing these changes in their late 40s or early 50’s. However, oftentimes this does not mean they will go on indefinitely without another menstrual cycle as years later we see many develop an end-of menopausal mood disorder known as mood swings.

Are you less interested in sex than you used to be?

The desire for sex often decreases in women during perimenopause. Aside from hormonal fluctuations, fatigue and stress can all affect your libido as well. Open communication with your partner is important to avoid any problems when it comes down to the intimacy department. Counseling support may be a help too.

Do you experience vaginal dryness or pain during intercourse?

In the years after perimenopause, you may experience common symptoms including discomfort and lowered sex drive. There are a variety of solutions available to help with these challenges including estrogen therapies or antibiotics applied creams for relieving pain from problematic conditions such as vaginitis that can reduce sensitivity in this area.

Do you have less control over your bladder than you used to?

Unexpected leaking of urine from the bladder is common among perimenopausal and postmenopausal women and it’s treatable. While you may feel embarrassed to talk about bladder control, discussing this issue with your health care provider will help ensure that the proper corrective options are available for you to avoid longer-term complications such as frequent urinary tract infections or vaginal infections, or bleeding.

Would you describe yourself as feeling depressed even though your life is satisfying?

Some women experience low self-esteem and depression in perimenopause, especially when they see it as a sign of aging. If you find yourself struggling to cope with these feelings seek counseling through your health care provider or talk them out by talking things over with someone who can help make sense of what's happening for both parties involved, there is always an option.

If you answered yes to any of these questions, it may be time for a visit with your doctor. Perimenopause can manifest in many different ways and we want to help. Call us today or schedule an appointment. We’ll take the guesswork out of figuring out if perimenopause is what's making you feel off balance.