PMS or Perimenopause: How to distinguish between them?

Swollen breasts, mood swings that make you cry over a cute cat video one moment and explode over an unwashed cup the next. Fatigue that makes you want to sleep until next month, chocolate cravings as if it were the elixir of life, and a bloated stomach that makes you wonder if your pants shrank in the wash. Sound familiar? Welcome to the world of PMS and perimenopause!

When the body throws in headaches, aching joints, decreased libido or perhaps increased libido, concentration difficulties, anxiety, breast tenderness, hot flashes, night sweats, irregular menstruation, sleep problems, vaginal dryness, anger, and more mood swings into the mix, it becomes hard to know if it's time for your period or if you're entering perimenopause❤️

WHAT IS PMS?
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is something many women experience every month, usually one to two weeks before their period. Here are some common symptoms:
🌸 Mood swings: An emotional rollercoaster ranging from irritation and anxiety to depression.
🌸 Bloating: The feeling of being swollen and uncomfortable.
🌸 Breast tenderness: Sore and swollen breasts.
🌸 Fatigue: An overwhelming feeling of exhaustion.
🌸 Food cravings: Craving specific foods, often sweet or salty.

WHAT IS PREMENOPAUSE?
Perimenopause, also known as the menopausal transition, is the period leading up to menopause. During this time, the ovaries gradually produce less estrogen. Perimenopause can begin as early as the mid-40s, but for some women, it can start as early as their 30s. This phase can last from a few months up to 10 years before menstruation completely stops.

During perimenopause, you may experience symptoms similar to those of PMS, but they can also be more intense and more varied. This is due to the hormonal changes occurring in the body. Here are some common symptoms:
🌸 Irregular menstruation: Periods may come more frequently or with longer intervals.
🌸 Hot flashes and night sweats: Sudden feelings of heat, often followed by sweating and palpitations.
🌸 Sleep disturbances: Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep through the night.
🌸 Mood changes: Mood swings, anxiety, and depression.
🌸 Vaginal dryness: Reduced estrogen production can lead to dry mucous membranes, which can cause discomfort.
🌸 Decreased or increased libido: Changes in hormone balance can affect sex drive.
🌸 Difficulty concentrating: Difficulty focusing and memory problems. 
Read more about perimenopause here!

PERIMENOPAUSE, MENOPAUSE, AND POSTMENOPAUSE
It can be confusing to understand the different phases, so here is a brief explanation:
🌸 Perimenopause (Perimenopause): The period leading up to menopause. Can begin in the 40s and last for several years. Symptoms include irregular menstruation, hot flashes, night sweats, and mood changes.
🌸 Menopause: Menopause is defined as the time when you have not had a menstrual period for 12 months. The average age for menopause is 51 years. Symptoms may continue, but menstruation stops.
🌸 Postmenopause: The time after menopause when estrogen levels remain consistently low. Symptoms may subside, but some women may continue to experience issues such as vaginal dryness and decreased bone mass.

Read the blog "I am a menopause woman here"!

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT IS WHAT?
To understand what is happening in your body, you can use our VagiVital Menopause Self-Test. This test measures the level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which can indicate if you are in perimenopause. During menopause, the number of functioning egg follicles in the ovaries decreases, leading to reduced levels of estrogen. In response, the pituitary gland increases the production of FSH in an attempt to stimulate the ovaries, resulting in higher FSH levels. Getting a clear answer can give women greater understanding of why they have various symptoms, providing greater opportunities to also begin treatment and take care of themselves and their bodies with the symptoms that perimenopause/menopause can entail. The test is clinically proven with 94% accuracy and is a CE-marked medical device. 
Read more about VagiVital Menopause Self-Test and buy your test here!

Understanding the difference between PMS and perimenopause and identifying if you are in perimenopause can be an important first step in managing this life change, relieving your symptoms, and taking care of your body in the best way❤️

Take care of yourself & Stay Pussytive❤️

/VagiVital team