Menopause vs. Perimenopause: How to Identify the Stage You’re In

No woman who has experienced raging hormones can underestimate the dramatic highs and crushing lows of menopause starting with its early symptoms. Many women ask, "Am I in menopause?" or "Am I in perimenopause?". We don’t want to sugarcoat this period in your life and will describe its symptoms so that you can brace for impact.

Both menopause and perimenopause are transitional stages that mark the end of your fertile age. They are not a cakewalk, of course. Neither are they an obstacle to move on with your life, if treated the right way.

Concepts of Menopause and Perimenopause

Perimenopause and menopause can be tough as nails or surprisingly smooth. Some suffer from painful symptoms, others effortlessly glide through this period. Each woman goes through these stages in a very different way.

Perimenopause Be Like

​​Perimenopause means a period when female hormones start to shift leading to the end of the menstrual cycle. It typically lasts two to six years, but it can last as long as ten years or as short as a few months. While some do not experience uncomfortable symptoms, others deal with perimenopause exhaustion, heavy periods, and nausea, leaving them physically and mentally drained. No worries, though. Symptoms of reproductive aging can be successfully cut short with cutting-edge therapeutic methods.

However, there is a fly in the ointment you need to consider. Even if your period is missing for several months, you can still be ovulating. It’s crucial to consult your GP about birth control while you are in perimenopause.

Then Comes Menopause

A woman is considered to be in menopause when she has not had her period for a full year. Menopause vs. perimenopause symptoms often overlap, but menopause is marked by a complete cessation of menstruation due to low estrogen levels.

To determine when you could experience it, you can look at your family's history. It probably aligns with the age at which your mother or elder sisters entered menopause. In some cases, menopause can be fast-tracked due to treatment courses for a number of diseases, including cancer.

Menopause treatment is not necessary unless you are bothered by your symptoms. As a rule of thumb, choose a healthy lifestyle. It may help reduce the symptoms. On top of that, there are medications that may be helpful if your symptoms are extremely distressing or overwhelming. Your therapist can prescribe antidepressants, hormonal therapy, and birth control for you to feel better.

Key Symptoms of Menopause and Perimenopause

Women in perimenopause usually suffer from the same symptoms as ladies in menopause; however, on top of that, they also experience changes in their periods that get random and/ or heavy. Here is a quick comparison to help you understand the difference between premenopause and perimenopause:

Tips for Managing Menopause and Perimenopause

Perimenopause exhaustion leading to the end of your reproductive age can be a tough burden. Here are some simple tips to help manage symptoms like perimenopause spotting and hot flashes, so you can bloom no matter what: 

• Stick to a healthy diet. It may seem like a minor adjustment, but it’s not. Limit your intake of spicy and pickled products to lessen hot flashes. Make sure you are getting enough calcium and vitamin D to keep your bones strong and your mood stable. You might need to contact your physician for some extra supplements.
• Quit smoking. Sounds like a cliche, but all cliches have been proven in practice. Smoking makes hot flashes way worse.
• Hold tight: one more thrice-told tip is coming right up. Add regular exercise to your daily routine. It will definitely help with mood swings and anxiety.
• Go holistic. Although ignored by some, such treatments as acupuncture can really make you feel better. Unfortunately, they don’t work for everyone.
• Confide in an older woman. It’s extremely stressful to keep your alarming symptoms to yourself. You might need support and aid from someone who has gone through the same path.

Menopause might impact your health and well-being by causing anxiety and depression. With Miranna, a woman-to-woman coaching app, you can make these harsh transition periods in your life easier by talking to a well-being female coach. As your safe spot, we are always here for support and motivation.

Conclusion

Reproductive aging is not an excuse to put your life on hold. Making healthy lifestyle decisions, experimenting with various treatments, and getting support from medical experts are just a few ways to help manage symptoms and get your happy life back on track. 

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