Perimenopause Care

Perimenopause can start while you still have periods, and common signs include cycle changes, hot flashes or night sweats, trouble sleeping, mood changes or anxiety, brain fog and vaginal dryness. The menopausal transition most often begins between ages 45 and 55, though some women notice changes earlier. If symptoms are affecting your life, an online visit with a licensed provider is a good place to start.

Yes, some women notice perimenopause symptoms in their late 30s, though it more commonly begins in the mid to late 40s. Other conditions, such as thyroid problems, can cause similar symptoms, so a licensed provider may suggest checking for them. Menopause before 40 is considered early and is worth discussing with a provider.

No, hot flashes are not required; hormone therapy may be considered for other bothersome symptoms, such as night sweats, sleep disruption and vaginal dryness, depending on your health history. The Menopause Society states that for healthy women under 60 or within 10 years of menopause, the benefits of hormone therapy for symptoms generally outweigh the risks. A licensed provider will review your symptoms and history in the online visit.

Yes, many women in perimenopause use hormone therapy while still having periods, though the type and schedule may differ from postmenopausal regimens. Standard HRT doses are not birth control, so some women in perimenopause still need contraception. A licensed provider can recommend options based on your cycle and goals.

Hormone therapy may ease mood symptoms that come with perimenopause for some women, especially alongside hot flashes and poor sleep, but it is not a stand-alone treatment for anxiety disorders or depression. If you have significant anxiety, panic or low mood, tell your licensed provider, and if you ever have thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988 right away. Some women do best with HRT combined with other mental health care.

Many women report joint aches, dry or itchy skin, palpitations and headaches during perimenopause, and changing hormone levels may play a role. These symptoms can also have other causes, so new palpitations or chest pain should be checked promptly, in person if severe. Describe all your symptoms in your online visit.

Menopause is the point 12 months after your last period, and perimenopause is the transition before it, when hormones fluctuate and periods become irregular. The menopausal transition most often begins between ages 45 and 55 and can last several years. Symptoms can continue after menopause too.