Heights OBGYN

Perimenopause

Helping women understand perimenopause, the time before menopause

Many people who have heard of the so-called “change of life” don’t know as much about the time before menopause. Perimenopause is the time right before your body stops having periods. It is sometimes called the menopausal transition and can cause changes in your body.

Heights Obstetrics & Gynecology believes in the power of educating patients about their bodies. As a result, our San Antonio OBGYN practice is here to explain what to know about the time right before menopause.

What is perimenopause?

The menopausal transition is when your body prepares to stop having periods. The main female hormone in your body (estrogen) rises and falls during this time. These hormonal fluctuations can cause different symptoms.

  • Menstruation changes, such as shorter or longer periods, flow changes or missed periods
  • Decreased fertility
  • Hot flashes
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Mood swings, irritability and depression
  • Vaginal dryness and pain during sex
  • Bladder problems, including leaking urine or feeling the urge to urinate

The time before menopause can also come with other health concerns, including changing cholesterol levels and bone loss.

The timing of the menopausal transition can vary from woman to woman

Perimenopause can occur as early as your 30s or as late as your 50s. However, it tends to be most common for women in their 40s.

This time before menopause goes through two phases.

  • Early perimenopause occurs when your menstrual cycle is consistently different by seven days or more.
  • Late perimenopause is when you go 60 days or more between periods.

When you haven’t had a period for 12 months in a row, you have entered menopause.

Please reach out to our San Antonio OGBYN practice if you begin bleeding after not having a period for 12 months or more. This could be a health issue.

The right treatments can help women manage symptoms during this time

Perimenopause comes on gradually and can be unpredictable. As a result, no single test can confirm that you have started it. However, your doctor can look at you and your medical history to determine if you have entered this phase of life.

If you have symptoms that bother you before menopause, our San Antonio OBGYN practice offers treatments that can help. Below are some common treatments for the menopausal transition.

  • Hormone therapy for symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. You can take it as a pill, patch, spray, gel or cream.
  • Vaginal estrogen as a tablet, ring or cream for vaginal dryness and pain during sex.
  • Antidepressants like SSRIs can help with mood disorders and hot flashes.
  • Oxybutynin can help with hot flashes and bladder symptoms, including leakage.
  • Gabapentin is a treatment for hot flashes, sleep issues, pain and migraines.

Before beginning any treatment, talk to your OBGYN at Heights Obstetrics & Gynecology. Our team can help select the best option for your unique needs.

If you have more questions about perimenopause, contact us to schedule an appointment. We are here to support you at every age and stage, including the time before menopause.

Perimenopause FAQs

Perimenopause is the time before menopause, and menopause is when a woman stops having periods.

Most women experience this change in their 40s, but it can start as early as a woman’s 30s or as late as her 50s.

The treatment for perimenopause depends on a woman’s symptoms. They can vary from hormone therapy for hot flashes and night sweats to vaginal estrogen for vaginal dryness.