Navigating Menopause Series 1 of 4: Is this Menopause?

You’ve noticed your periods are changing. Maybe you’re having hot flashes, trouble sleeping, mood swings, or brain fog. Many women wonder if these changes mean menopause. In reality, most women begin experiencing symptoms during a transition period called perimenopause, which can start years before menopause officially occurs.

Dr. Kailey Witt, a family medicine provider at Perham Health, explores this stage of life in a four-part series. The first installment explains what perimenopause is and how it leads to menopause.

What is Perimenopause?

Perimenopause is the time of transition before menopause when our bodies and hormone levels slowly start changing. Perimenopause may start as early as 10 years before menopause, during which time women may begin to notice changes in their health and well-being.

What are the signals that you’re transitioning?

Irregular periods are one of the first things. You might find that your periods are becoming less frequent, with longer intervals between them. Unfortunately, for some women, their periods get heavier.

Other symptoms can include:

• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Sleep problems
• Mood changes
• Increased anxiety or depression
• Breast pain
• Increase in migraines
• Vaginal dryness
• Weight gain
• Brain fog
• Thinning hair

Can you get pregnant during perimenopause?

One question I get asked by my patients is whether you can get pregnant during perimenopause. The answer is yes. Don’t let those irregular periods fool you. I know quite a few people who have gotten pregnant while in perimenopause.

How do I know if my symptoms are normal or I should be concerned?

Most symptoms are normal, but everybody is different. I always tell my patients it’s never harmful to ask your provider, “Is this normal or not?” Go over your symptoms with your provider.

The more concerning things would be:

• Having heart palpitations
• Mood issues that are affecting your everyday life
• If you think that you might be pregnant
• If you’re leaking milk from your breast
• If your depression or anxiety symptoms are worsening
• Vaginal dryness is causing pain during intimacy

While many of these symptoms are common, it’s important to know which changes are expected and which deserve a conversation with your provider.

When to get help

Anytime is an okay time to come in and discuss what you’re experiencing. If your symptoms are affecting your everyday life and making you miserable, you should come in. We have treatments for many of these symptoms. Just because they are normal doesn’t mean you should have to suffer.

During perimenopause, our mood swings. Your estradiol levels are going up and down, and that causes your mood to swing back and forth. You may be irritable, anxious, or depressed during this time. If it’s affecting your daily life or your family’s noticing it more and more, then it’s probably time to seek help.

What is menopause?

Menopause happens when women’ s bodies stop making estrogen, which causes us to stop having periods. If you haven’t had a period in 12 months, and there is no other reason why your period would stop, you’re in menopause. For most women, this happens around the age of 51.

We are moving from our reproductive years to no longer having babies, and our bodies can start changing in unexpected ways. Menopause is a time when women’s hormones are fluctuating and transitioning from higher levels of estrogen to lower levels of estrogen, and a lot more is happening in our bodies than just our periods stopping. Many women trade the relief of no more periods or worry of pregnancy for a host of other symptoms.

Is there a test I can take to show I’m in menopause?

There is testing that can be done, but we typically don’t because it isn’t needed. It’s not going to change anything that we do for treatment. Testing would only be needed if you’re having particular symptoms that we’re worried about, which is not typical.

Don’t suffer needlessly

The hot flashes, poor sleep, and mood changes will slowly improve over time. In the meantime, there are lifestyle changes and medication options that can help. Don’t be afraid to see your provider and get some help. Nobody should suffer needlessly.

You don’t have to navigate menopause alone. If hot flashes, sleep problems, mood changes, or other symptoms are affecting your quality of life, Dr. Kailey Witt and our family medicine team are here to help. Schedule an appointment today to discuss your symptoms, explore treatment options, and create a plan that’s right for you.

Learn more about Dr. Kailey Witt.

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