By Shannin Prather
April 2024 | 2024 Spring Newsletter
Before women reach menopause—marked by having stopped menstruating for 12 months—a period of physical and hormonal changes takes place. This is known as “perimenopause”.
Generally, perimenopause begins in a woman’s 40s to early 50s, but can begin as early as their mid-30s. According to Healthline, transgender men—those assigned female at birth—may also experience some menopausal symptoms.
Perimenopause can affect mood and cause a variety of physical symptoms.
Menstrual cycles may occur more or less often, for longer or shorter durations, and menopause-like symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep issues, may also occur.
In women menstruating regularly, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels can shift greatly before the cycle. In perimenopause, these shifts can be unpredictable and may lead to symptoms of anxiety, mood changes, tiredness, changes in libido, joint and muscle pain, difficulties with concentration or memory, and more.
Perimenopause is highly individualized and can be challenging to diagnose, especially due to the lack of understanding and research. These changes can be even more difficult to recognize in individuals with disabilities.
Overlap with other conditions, such as thyroid disorders, hormonal imbalances, chronic fatigue, mental health disorders, autism, diabetes, or other chronic health conditions may mask perimenopause, which can lead to misdiagnosis or delays in treatment.
Menopause is often treated as a forbidden subject, but it is a normal part of aging. If you think you might be experiencing symptoms of perimenopause, talking with your doctor can help you learn what to expect, how to manage symptoms, and protect your health as you age.
Before women reach menopause—marked by having stopped menstruating for 12 months—a period of physical and hormonal changes takes place. This is known as “perimenopause”.
Generally, perimenopause begins in a woman’s 40s to early 50s, but can begin as early as their mid-30s. According to Healthline, transgender men—those assigned female at birth—may also experience some menopausal symptoms.
Perimenopause can affect mood and cause a variety of physical symptoms. Menstrual cycles may occur more or less often, for longer or shorter durations, and menopause-like symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep issues, may also occur.
In women menstruating regularly, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels can shift greatly before the cycle. In perimenopause, these shifts can be unpredictable and may lead to symptoms of anxiety, mood changes, tiredness, changes in libido, joint and muscle pain, difficulties with concentration or memory, and more.
Perimenopause is highly individualized and can be challenging to diagnose, especially due to the lack of understanding and research. These changes can be even more difficult to recognize in individuals with disabilities.
Overlap with other conditions, such as thyroid disorders, hormonal imbalances, chronic fatigue, mental health disorders, autism, diabetes, or other chronic health conditions may mask perimenopause, which can lead to misdiagnosis or delays in treatment.
Menopause is often treated as a forbidden subject, but it is a normal part of aging. If you think you might be experiencing symptoms of perimenopause, talking with your doctor can help you learn what to expect, how to manage symptoms, and protect your health as you age.