Perimenopause occurs the years before the onset of menopause. During this transitional stage, there is often endocrine fluctuation involving a drop in estrogen, possibly triggering several perimenopausal symptoms akin to menopause.
Half of or more women between 30 and 35 years experience mild to severe symptoms of perimenopause, stated the authors of a just published study published Feb. 25 in npj Women’s HealthTrusted Source.
The findings of the study suggest that perimenopausal women are not treated for their symptoms. This is due to perimenopause and menopause generally being a culturally taboo condition.
The authors cited that perimenopausal women, along with their doctors, feel that they are still young enough to undergo menopause and therefore dismiss their symptoms. Where the symptoms remain untreated, the authors add, women experience unnecessary hardship.
Young women dismiss perimenopause symptoms
The researchers examined the matter by analyzing self-reported data regarding 4,432 women 30 and older, collected through an online survey and the Flo app.
Among women between the ages of 30 and 35, it was found that 55.4% reported what can be termed as moderate to severe perimenopause symptoms. Also, among women between the ages of 36 and 40, 64.3% reported symptoms.
Despite these findings, most of the females were not treated for their symptoms until age 56 or older.
In fact, there was a hugely significant difference in the proportion of females who were treated for perimenopausal symptoms by age. Only 4.3% of women aged 30 to 35 had been treated. But 51.5% of women aged 56 and older had consulted a physician.
The research group further found that women in the perimenopausal stage were at a greater likelihood of experiencing psychological symptoms such as:
- depression
- irritability
- anxiety
These mood disturbances are found to appear before any of the physical symptoms of perimenopause such as:
- sexual dysfunction
- vaginal dryness
- urinary incontinence
The most commonly known menopausal symptoms like sweating and hot flashes occurred least in women aged 30–35 years and peaked after the age of 51 years.
The authors explained that the information is relevant because it boosts our understanding in terms of the typical perimenopausal symptom process, making it possible for women to receive assistance and relief.
What are the symptoms of perimenopause?
Naheed Rana, MD, a gynecologist with Oladoc, said that the average age of perimenopause is around 45, but the timing varies. “I’ve seen women start experiencing symptoms as early as their early to mid-30s,” she told Healthline. Rana wasn’t involved in the study.
Rana further noted that in many females, perimenopause happens gradually, so it’s easy to overlook the signs until it starts interfering with your daily life.
“Most women believe menopause is a 50s problem,” she said, “so they blame symptoms on stress, aging, or lifestyle.”
Rana said common perimenopause symptoms can be:
- hot flashes
- brain fog
- mood swings
- sleep changes
“Many women also have anxiety, irregular periods, and vaginal dryness, and may not even realize these are hormonal changes,” Rana went on. “I want women to come in as soon as they start to notice these symptoms rather than ignoring them.”
Perimenopause hormone replacement therapy
Hoping that women are most interested in being informed about hormone therapies, Betsy Greenleaf, MD, an instructor at BHRT Training Academy, explained that hormone therapy can be an effective tool. Greenleaf was not involved in the study.
“It is important that [women] see a practitioner who is experienced and sensitive to the subtleties of hormone therapy and one who understands that hormones are a tool, not the magic bullet,” she clarified. “All too frequently, I see women overmedicated or inappropriately dosed on hormones.”
Bruce Dorr, MD, is Biote’s senior medical advisor. He explained that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the process of replacing the chemical messengers estrogen and progesterone that lower naturally during perimenopause and menopause. Dorr also was not included in the study.
“When you add in side effects and quality-of-life issues with loss of hormone, everybody should consider HRT,” he told Healthline.
Dorr further added that the majority of women experience positive effects following HRT, such as improved heart, brain, and bone function, as well as mobility.
“HRT can be taken in a variety of ways including pellet therapy, transdermal therapy (skin) by a patch, gel, spray or cream, and sublingual or buccal therapy (under the tongue or between the gum and cheek),” Dorr added.
Other perimenopause treatments
Greenleaf contributed that a more holistic approach, such as hormone replacement therapy when necessary, could work best for you.
She suggested looking to see if you have any stressors in your life. “[S]tress and sex hormones can’t co-exist,” she told us.
Your lifestyle changes also can do much for how you feel. They can include:
- 7–8 hours of sleep
- hydration
- healthy dieting
- gentle exercise and strength training
- relaxation methods like meditation
Greenleaf described why the gut microbiome should be evaluated and treated. “Disruptions here can lead to inflammation and other hormone imbalances, chronic urinary tract infections, and vaginal infections,” she explained.
Other options that might provide relief from perimenopausal discomfort include:
- vaginal estrogen
- laser treatment
- over-the-counter vaginal lubricants and moisturizers
- pelvic floor exercises like Kegels
- vaginal rejuvenation
Takeaway
Writers realize that the majority of women aged between 30 and 35 are probably experiencing perimenopausal symptoms yet not receiving any medical intervention. The majority of individuals have the tendency of denying the symptoms since they believe menopause is about being old.
Perimenopausal women may be experiencing discomfiting symptoms like hot flashes, confusion, moodiness, sleeping problems, anxiety, irregular periods, and vaginal dryness.
Hormone replacement therapy may be useful in some cases under a physician’s guidance. Lifestyle changes incorporating adequate rest, hydration, nutrition, exercise, and stress relief will also make you feel improved.
A few people are relieved by lubricants, moisturizers, and exercises of the pelvic floor.
