Perimenopause & Menopause Care in Saratoga Springs and Glens Falls, NY
Midlife is a time of natural transition in a woman’s life. There are many emotional and physical changes that women experience in this phase of life. Just as in adolescence, pregnancy and postpartum, the body is adjusting to different levels of hormones.
Most women recognize the biggest milestone of this stage as menopause, the end of having menstrual periods. Perimenopause means “around menopause” and refers to the time period during which a woman’s body makes its natural transition toward permanent infertility (menopause).
Women start perimenopause at different ages. You may notice signs of progression toward menopause, such as menstrual irregularity, sometime in your 40s. But some women notice changes as early as their mid-30s.
The level of your estrogen — the main female hormone — rises and falls unevenly during perimenopause. Your menstrual cycles may lengthen or shorten, and you may begin having menstrual cycles in which your ovaries don’t release an egg (ovulate). You may also experience menopause-like symptoms, such as hot flashes, sleep problems and vaginal dryness.
Once you’ve gone through 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, you’ve officially reached menopause, and the perimenopause period is over.
As a woman’s body makes the transition to menopause, she may experience some symptoms such as:
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Emotional disturbances
- Difficulty in concentration
- Vaginal dryness
- Hot flashes and/or night sweats
- Insomnia
- Decreased fertility
- Muscle and joint pain
Your Women’s Care provider is prepared to help you develop an action plan to adjust healthily to your body’s changes. We will help you take stock of your health, reduce your risk factors for disease, and discuss lifestyle modifications, medications, and other treatments that can help you stay well throughout this transition.
