In this replay from December 2021, Dr. Lisa and Dr. Toni discuss all things perimenopause…what it is, what’s happening and how to test for it. Not sure if you’re in perimenopause or what is happening with your hormones? Experiencing hot flashes, irregular periods, mood swings and insomnia? Listen in!

What is the difference between menopause and perimenopause?

Menopause is when you have not had a menstrual period for 12 months.

Perimenopause is the transition period before you reach menopause and can last for 4 years, 8 years or longer. 

What is happening with your hormones in perimenopause?

Perimenopausal symptoms, as well as your hormones, can be unpredictable and might fluctuate throughout perimenopause:

* You may get PMS symptoms some months, not others* You may get other menopausal symptoms some months and not others* Changes that can happen around perimenopause and menopause includes bone loss and osteoporosis, shifts in weight and metabolism, brain and mood changes* The most common symptoms you may experience include:* Insomnia* 30-60% of women experience in perimenopause* Research show correlations between plastic exposure and body care products and self-report insomnia (testing urinary phthalate levels - Hatcher 2020)* See more info about plastic: Episode 94* See more info about sleep: Episode 73* Fatigue* See more info about fatigue:* Depression and Anxiety* Up to 40% of women face depression or mood changes in perimenopause* Hot flashes* You can experience one of four patterns of hot flashes* Early onset, late onset, high frequency, low frequency* See more info about hot flashes: Episode 32* Irregular menstrual cycles and heavy bleeding* See more info about fibroids: Episode 69

Your body’s normally predictable hormone cycle that happens over the month changes during perimenopause:

* You might not ovulate every month or you might ovulate early* You have changes in your menstrual cycle length of 7 days or more (shorter or longer cycles) then have longer cycles and more skipped periods until you reach menopause * Your estrogen levels can go up and down more than usual* Your progesterone levels tend to decrease overall* Your FSH level may elevate or fluctuate* Your stress hormone cortisol and thyroid hormones can be impacted * See more info about stress and cortisol: Episode 24* See more info about thyroid hormones: Episode 42

Does every woman experience the transition from perimenopause to menopause the same way?

No!

You can have one of 4 different patterns of estrogen and 3 different patterns FSH levels, as well as different combinations of other symptoms at different stages of perimenopause.