This is how long the perimenopause lasts

In all honesty, I don't know how long I have been in perimenopause, but I suspect it is approaching a decade. The symptoms have varied both in form and intensity. Around my 40s, I experienced periods of intense night sweats, where for many nights I slept wrapped in large bath towels so the entire mattress wouldn't get soaked, and in the morning I often woke up exhausted and extremely thirsty. My menstrual cycle has been anything but predictable, varying between 19 and 126 days between bleedings, which created a challenge in trying to understand where in the cycle I was. It has also been difficult to interpret sudden mood swings. Was my anger due to challenging PMS, the influence of perimenopause, or were there simply well-founded reasons for my frustration? Many times it has felt like I lost touch with my body, where the irregular menstrual cycle could not give me any guidance. In hindsight, I can somewhat embarrassingly connect my increased desire with the time of ovulation, and when the period finally arrived, I suddenly understood the reasons behind yesterday's headache, irritation, and craving for sweets. Trying to live in harmony with your menstrual cycle during perimenopause can be, to say the least, a challenge. Sometimes I had a memory like a goldfish and did strange things, like trying to "beep" open the front door of the house with the car keys, but whether the confusion was due to sleep deprivation from having small children or a flourishing perimenopause is a question I still cannot answer. Trying to navigate through perimenopause can be a complicated journey for many women, especially since it can be difficult to know when this time starts and how long it will last. I am still in perimenopause because I still have periods, although irregular, but today I have found ways to manage and take care of myself during this time, and the first step was actually understanding that I am in perimenopause ❤️

WHAT IS PREMENOPAUSE?

Premenopause is the period leading up to menopause, the moment when a woman has not had a menstrual cycle for 12 months. During premenopause, a woman's body gradually starts to produce less estrogen, which can lead to various symptoms such as irregular menstruation, hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and sleep problems. It is a natural part of aging, but the experience and its symptoms vary greatly from woman to woman.

Find out if you are in premenopause with the VagiVital Menopause FSH Test here!

HOW LONG DOES THE PREMENOPAUSE LAST?

The premenopause, also known as perimenopause, is the transitional period when a woman's body gradually begins to decrease the production of the sex hormones responsible for reproduction, primarily estrogen. This phase marks the beginning of a significant change in the woman's reproductive system and can cause a range of symptoms that for many can be both confusing and challenging. The length of the premenopause and the intensity of the symptoms vary greatly from woman to woman, making it a highly individual experience.

According to research presented in Journal of the North American Menopause Society, the average duration of perimenopause is around four years. However, this is a simplification, as some women experience these transition symptoms for a much shorter time, while for others it can extend over ten years. This variation is due to a range of different factors, which together affect each woman's unique perimenopausal journey:

🌸 Genetics

Family history plays an important role in determining the length of perimenopause. Women whose mothers and sisters have gone through a longer or more intense perimenopausal period may find that their own experiences reflect this pattern. Genetic factors can influence the age at which perimenopause begins, its duration, and which symptoms become most prominent.

🌸 Lifestyle

Lifestyle habits also have a significant impact on the course of perimenopause. Smoking, high alcohol consumption, low physical activity, and poor dietary habits have all been shown to potentially accelerate the onset of perimenopause and possibly extend the duration of the period. On the other hand, a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a balanced diet can alleviate symptoms and possibly contribute to a shorter and less troublesome transition period.

🌸 General Health

Women's general health status is another factor that can affect the length and severity of perimenopause. Conditions such as thyroid disorders, diabetes, and high blood pressure can affect the body's hormone balance and thus influence both the onset and duration of perimenopause. 

Read more about symptoms during perimenopause here!

WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH SAY? 

Research shows that early understanding and management of perimenopausal symptoms can improve quality of life and help reduce the risks of health conditions associated with decreased estrogen levels. A 2015 study in The Lancet emphasizes the importance of individualized care for women in menopause transition, which includes education, lifestyle changes, and when appropriate, hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

The perimenopause is a very individual experience that often requires a personal strategy. By understanding the changes that occur in the body and exploring different coping strategies, women can better navigate the perimenopause with greater confidence and well-being. Research and knowledge about perimenopause continue to grow, providing women with better tools and resources to manage this phase of life in a healthy and informed way. Women also beginning to share their experiences with each other is another step in the right direction for increased understanding and the possibility to actually influence this sometimes turbulent period in life.

Take care of yourself & Stay Pussytive ❤️

/Fanny Falkman Grinndal
Business Manager Nordics
Peptonic Medical AB
fanny.falkman-grinndal@peptonicmedical.se