When it comes to women’s health and hormone health education, many important topics are still overlooked or misunderstood. One of the most common is perimenopause, the natural hormonal transition that occurs in the years leading up to menopause.
Perimenopause typically occurs in the decade before a person’s final menstrual period, yet many women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) are left navigating this stage of life without clear information about what is happening in their bodies.
At Spectrum Medical Care Center, we believe patients deserve access to clear, affirming health education. In this guide, we explore what perimenopause is, common perimenopause symptoms, when it begins, and how to find support for managing hormonal changes.
What Is Perimenopause? Understanding the Menopausal Transition
Sometimes called the “menopausal transition,” perimenopause is the time in which a body assigned female at birth begins to gradually shift toward the end of its reproductive years. You can think of it as the prologue to menopause, where symptoms begin to set in. This phase typically lasts four to eight years and is characterized by fluctuating estrogen and progesterone levels, which can lead to a range of perimenopause symptoms including changes in menstrual cycles, sleep patterns, mood, and metabolism.
Perimenopause often begins in your early 40s, though some women begin experiencing onset symptoms in their mid-to-late 30s. The average age of a menstruating person’s final period is usually around 51 years old, so perimenopause will happen sometime in the five to 10 years prior to that date.
Common Perimenopause Symptoms
While AFAB people will inevitably experience perimenopause, symptoms can vary widely. No two bodies are exactly alike, so symptoms may look different from person to person. Some key signs of this transition include:
- Irregular menstrual cycles: People often experience skipped periods (without impregnation), fluctuating cycle length, flow, etc.
- Vaginal dryness or discomfort: Hormonal changes can affect vaginal tissue and comfort during intimacy.
- Changes to libido: It is common for perimenopausal people to experience decreased libido or shifts in arousal.
- Hot flashes & night sweats: Feeling hot suddenly or increased sweating during sleep is normal.
- Mood swings: People report sporadic bouts of irritability, anxiety, or feelings of depression that could be unrelated to or compounding other mental health conditions.
- Sleep disruption: Insomnia, waking up feeling unrested, or waking up intermittently is also common during perimenopause.
- Memory & focus shifts: Brain fog, forgetfulness, or difficulty concentrating is a regular symptom during this period.
- Physical changes: It is very common to experience weight gain, changes in skin texture, or hair thinning as a result of shifts in hormones.
Remember: perimenopause is a natural process, not a medical illness. But for many people undergoing this transition, though, it can be confusing or scary. By recognizing what’s happening in your body, you can better manage your symptoms, seek care as needed, and embrace this phase with confidence.
Perimenopause Treatment and Symptom Management
So how can women or people assigned female at birth mitigate the severity of physical or emotional changes? There is no single treatment that works for everyone. Perimenopause treatment plans are highly individualized and may include medical therapies, lifestyle changes, and mental health support.
- Hormone therapy: Some women report low-dose progesterone or estrogen can help alleviate hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, or other symptoms.
- Non-hormonal medication: SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and some other common drugs can be prescribed to reduce hot flashes.
- Vaginal lubricants or topicals: Products targeted at vaginal comfort can help relieve feelings of tightness, dryness, or pain during intimacy.
- Mental health support: Talking to a counselor or taking up a mental health practice (like journaling) can decrease feelings of anxiety/depression or occurrences of mood swings.
- Lifestyle adjustments: Regular exercise, stress reduction techniques (like yoga), and avoiding nicotine, caffeine, and spicy foods can help to ease symptoms.
Because no two people have the same symptoms or physical constitution, perimenopause remedies will look different from person to person. The goal is to find the right combination of strategies that work best for you and your lifestyle. Ask the older women in your life what worked for them during this period; you may be surprised at the wealth of tips you’d get for handling discomfort!
Perimenopause Considerations for LGBTQ+ Folks
People within the LGBTQ+ community may experience perimenopause differently, particularly individuals receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy or those who have experienced barriers to traditional healthcare settings.
At Spectrum Medical Care Center, a leading LGBTQ+ health provider in Phoenix, we provide inclusive primary care and hormone health services designed to support every patient through life’s hormonal transitions.
Below are a few things for queer people in perimenopause to be mindful of during perimenopause:
- Hormone therapy interactions: Individuals undergoing gender-affirming hormone treatment may experience overlapping symptoms and need tailored management plans. Spectrum Medical will always provide honest insights in an inclusive, welcoming space.
- Mental health: Perimenopause for many people can be an emotional rollercoaster. This can be compounded by existing social stigmas, healthcare barriers, or personal identity concerns that queer people may face. At Spectrum Medical, we see mental health as critical to overall health and structure our treatment options to reflect that.
- Affirming care: During perimenopause, transgender or nonbinary people may experience gender dysphoria or feel cautious in seeking support due to their gender identity. Our team is committed to honoring the identities of all our patients, and we see gender-affirming care as essential to anyone seeking resources for navigating perimenopause.
For too long, perimenopause has been under-discussed in and outside of women’s health conversations and so it’s perfectly okay to know what you don’t know and ask questions. And please share this article with your network if you want others to know about perimenopause! Spectrum Medical strives to put you in the driver’s seat of your health, guaranteeing a culturally competent care experience that caters to your needs. To get support with perimenopause, other primary care, sexual health, or more, click the button below to get started.
Embracing the Transition with Spectrum Medical
You shouldn’t see perimenopause as a medical issue to “solve,” but instead a natural progression in life. For many women and people assigned female at birth, this period is as much about growth, self-discovery, and empowerment as it is about biological changes. As you age, the Spectrum Medical team is here to provide a welcoming space to prioritize your health and feel confident in your body as it transitions to its next era of living!
If you’re experiencing perimenopause symptoms or have questions about hormone health, the providers at Spectrum Medical Care Center are here to help. Our team offers inclusive primary care, hormone health support, and LGBTQ+ affirming healthcare designed to support you at every stage of life.