Hormones and menopause
Perimenopause signs, and why Black women may feel them longer
Perimenopause is the stretch of years before your periods stop for good. Knowing the signs, and what research says about how long they can last, helps you plan your care instead of waiting it out.
Key points
- Perimenopause is the transition before menopause. Menopause itself is confirmed after a full year without a period.
- In the SWAN study, frequent hot flashes and night sweats lasted a median of 7.4 years overall.
- African American women in the same study reported the longest duration, a median of 10.1 years.
- A licensed provider can review your symptoms and talk through options, from lifestyle changes to hormone therapy.
What perimenopause is
Perimenopause, also called the menopausal transition, is the time leading up to menopause. During these years the ovaries make estrogen and progesterone less predictably, and then less overall. Periods often change first: they may come closer together, further apart, or be lighter or heavier than you are used to.
Menopause is the point when periods have stopped for good. According to the National Institute on Aging, you only know you have reached it when you have gone a full year without a period or spotting. The transition before that point can last several years, and it looks different for every woman.
Signs to watch for
Some women notice very little. Others notice several changes at once. The National Institute on Aging lists these among the common symptoms of the transition:
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Trouble sleeping
- Joint and muscle discomfort
- Pain or dryness during sex
- Moodiness or irritability
- Forgetfulness or trouble concentrating
- Changes in your period pattern
What research says about how long symptoms last
The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation, known as SWAN, followed more than 3,300 women at seven US sites through the menopausal transition. In a 2015 analysis published in JAMA Internal Medicine, women who had frequent hot flashes or night sweats had them for a median of 7.4 years in total.
The same analysis found that African American women reported the longest total duration of any group studied, a median of 10.1 years. Women who first noticed symptoms earlier in the transition also tended to have them longer. The authors advised that health care professionals should prepare women for symptoms that may last more than seven years, and possibly longer for African American women.
These are averages from a research study, not a prediction for any one woman. They are a good reason not to simply wait it out if your symptoms are affecting your sleep, your work or your relationships.
Your options, with a licensed provider
Care for perimenopause ranges from sleep, movement and nutrition habits to non-hormonal prescriptions and hormone therapy. Which option fits depends on your symptoms, your age, your health history and what matters most to you.
At Golden Glow, an online visit with a licensed provider is the first step. The provider reviews your history, answers your questions and decides whether a treatment is right for you. If something is prescribed, a licensed US pharmacy ships it to your door.
Questions to bring to your visit
A short list helps you get the most from your visit:
- Which of my symptoms are likely related to perimenopause, and which should be checked for other causes?
- What can I change in my sleep, food and movement that may help?
- Am I a candidate for hormone therapy, and what are the benefits and risks for me?
- Are there non-hormonal options if hormone therapy is not right for me?
- How will we check in on how I am doing over time?
Sources
This article is educational and is not medical advice. Rx programs require an online visit with a licensed provider, who decides whether a treatment is right for you. Results vary. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved.