Peri-menopause, which literally means “around menopause”, refers to a transition period when your menstrual cycles start becoming irregular and slowly stop altogether. Most women become peri-menopausal sometime in their 40s. However, some women may experience peri-menopausal symptoms in their late 30s.
Most of the changes that occur during peri-menopause are caused by the decreasing levels of estrogen due to advancing age, which results in an imbalance in the female hormones.
Risk factors that can quicken the development of peri-menopause include:
Common complications include:
As peri-menopause is a gradual transition, your doctor will make the diagnosis based on your age, menstrual history, and symptoms. Occasionally, a blood test to determine hormone levels or a thyroid function test may also be recommended.
Treatment options will depend on the severity of symptoms and may include:
