What is perimenopause?

Perimenopause is another name for the menopause transition. It starts a few years prior to menopause itself, which is when a woman’s menstrual periods stop for good, and no further eggs are released from the ovaries. It may last a few months or continue for years.

Symptoms

During this time, you may experience:

• hot flushes
• night sweats
• irregular and sometimes heavy periods
• difficulty sleeping
• vaginal dryness
• tiredness
• lowered libido
• mood swings
• leakage or urinary urgency

Treatment

Treatment is dependent on what symptoms you are experiencing.

It is important to recognise abnormal bleeding may be caused by other pathologies, such as abnormal cells within the uterus (endometrial hyperplasia), or cancer of the uterus.

Hormone replacement therapy may be an appropriate short to medium-term treatment for those with disabling symptoms such as hot flushes. There are also non-hormonal options.

How we can help

If you’d think you may have this condition and would like to talk to us about how we can help, please feel free to contact us. You can also request an appointment online.