Find out if you are in perimenopause

I find myself in the middle of London on my 50th birthday, with a map of all the city's districts in hand in front of me, and I am starting to get really frustrated about not understanding where I am. Not knowing where you are is challenging in any situation. Maybe that is why perimenopause can also feel like a journey through an unknown land. It is like being on a bus trip where you don’t quite know which station you are at or where to get off, and where the fellow passengers speak a foreign language. You shout loudly 'WHERE AM I?' but get no answer.

In hindsight, I have understood that I probably entered my perimenopause around the same time I gave birth to my fourth child at the age of 41. I was irritable and could become furious over small things. At night, I sweated so much that I had to put large bath towels in the bed. While I was a bit angry at everything and everyone, I also had an increased sex drive. Being horny and angry is also a very strange (and sometimes humorous) combination. My period continued as usual and came regularly, but every time I almost bled to death. Since I also belong to the group of women affected by PMS, it became even more confusing, as it was sometimes difficult to distinguish what was PMS and what was due to the beginning of perimenopause. It literally felt like I was going crazy.

Eventually, I understood and started reading up. I made active decisions about how to handle and treat my hormonal rollercoaster, and today it has calmed down. But I am still in perimenopause, because I still actually have menstruation. However, my menstrual cycle is extremely irregular and varies from 18 to 126 days, which can be very stressful.

I am no longer as angry, but perhaps more fragile, which is actually something I try to accept and embrace. An important part is that especially my husband knows what I am going through and has knowledge about menopause. It takes security and trust to also be able to be fragile. Because with age, I have learned that you can be very strong and at the same time fragile. Today, I also try to prioritize sleep better and exercise is vital – especially for my brain.

If I had had access to a menopause test 9 years ago, it would actually have made a big difference. I would have avoided several years of confusion and frustration and instead could have immediately made active decisions to manage my hormonal rollercoaster. That is why I am especially proud that VagiVital can now offer a self-test for perimenopause/menopause that directly gives you answers about where you are on your journey ❤

WHAT IS PERIMENOPAUSE?

Perimenopause, also known as the perimenopausal phase, marks an important transition period in a woman’s life and can begin as early as the age of 35. It is during this period that she starts approaching menopause, which is the point when menstruation ends for good. This phase means the body undergoes a series of extensive hormonal changes. The symptoms during perimenopause can be many and varied. Women can experience everything from mood swings, irregular menstruation, and sleep problems to hot flashes and night sweats. The list of possible symptoms is long and each woman’s experience is unique.

COMMON SYMPTOMS

Each woman’s experience of perimenopause is unique and symptoms can also vary over time. Some of the most common symptoms include:

🌸 Irritation: Feelings of irritability and frustration over small things.

🌸 Anxiety: A feeling of constant worry or nervousness, often without a clear reason.

🌸 Fatigue: Overwhelming and persistent feeling of exhaustion that does not improve with rest.

🌸 Mood swings: Rapid and unpredictable changes in mood, from joy to sadness or anger.

🌸 Increased sex drive: A noticeable change in sexual desire, often an increase.

🌸 Sleep problems: Difficulty falling asleep or maintaining a good night's sleep.

🌸 Brain fog: The experience of confusion, forgetfulness, and difficulty concentrating.

🌸 Palpitations: Unpleasant feelings of the heart beating too fast or irregularly.

🌸 Depression: Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or a decrease in joy of life.

🌸 Tender breasts: Sensitivity and discomfort in the breasts, often with a feeling of heaviness or tension.

🌸 Hot flashes: Sudden waves of heat spreading over the body, often accompanied by redness and sweating.

🌸 Night sweats: Intense sweating during the night, which can be so extensive that it requires changing bed linens.

🌸 Changed menstrual cycle: Irregularity in the menstrual cycle, which may include changes in flow strength or length.

🌸 Iron deficiency: Symptoms such as fatigue and paleness caused by decreased iron levels in the body.

🌸 Weight gain: An unexplained increase in body weight, often concentrated around the waist.

This extensive list of symptoms in perimenopause truly reflects how each woman’s experience can differ. It is important to remember that these symptoms can vary in intensity and frequency. Furthermore, distinguishing whether your symptoms are related to PMS or perimenopause can be a challenge. However, there are some clear differences that can help you understand what you are experiencing.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PMS AND PERIMENOPAUSAL SYMPTOMS

PMS symptoms usually begin about 14 days before the start of menstruation and decrease or disappear completely with the onset of menstruation. Symptoms can include mood swings, increased irritation, fatigue, sensitivity, anxiety, and even physical complaints such as tender breasts, feeling bloated and swollen, joint pain, headaches, and skin problems. Research has not fully clarified the causes of PMS, but it is believed that women with PMS are extra sensitive to lower levels of progesterone and/or to the substances that break down progesterone after ovulation.

On the other hand, in perimenopause, symptoms feel more or less the same throughout the menstrual cycle. These symptoms persist continuously and are not directly related to the menstrual cycle. Common signs of perimenopause can include low energy levels, changes in skin and hair, mood swings, changed menstrual cycle where periods can become heavier, as well as hot flashes and night sweats. Women approaching menopause may also experience a change in their PMS, often becoming more pronounced or changing character.

HOW LONG DOES PERIMENOPAUSE LAST?

Perimenopause is a time of hormonal changes that vary between different women. The average age for the start of perimenopause is around 47.5 years, but it can begin as early as 35 years of age. Symptoms usually become noticeable between 40 and 45 years of age. This phase can last from five to ten years or longer, depending on each individual woman’s physical health and bodily conditions. Since many women today choose to have children later in life, symptoms during perimenopause can be especially challenging for women who are simultaneously managing the demands of being a new mother ❤. Understanding and identifying if you are in perimenopause can be an important first step in managing this life change.

FIND OUT IF YOU ARE IN PERIMENOPAUSE

An effective first step is to use the VagiVital Menopause FSH test for perimenopause/menopause, designed to give an indication if you are in perimenopause/menopause by measuring certain hormone levels. It can help you gain a better understanding of the symptoms you are experiencing and facilitate decisions about possible next steps, such as seeking professional medical advice or exploring appropriate treatment options.

VagiVital Menopause FSH test:

🌸Self-test for perimenopause/menopause

🌸Clinically proven with 94% accuracy

🌸Easy to use at home

🌸Results within 5 minutes

🌸Gives you an indication if you are in perimenopause/menopause

🌸Contains 2 tests

You can find the VagiVital Menopause FSH test here!

Perimenopause is a time of both change and adjustment. Understanding its symptoms and impact can help women navigate this phase with greater ease and awareness. Every woman’s experience is unique, but by sharing our experiences more widely, we can also help our sisters ❤. And there is much more to tell about both perimenopause and menopause. So don’t miss subscribing to our newsletter ❤

Take care & Stay Pussytive ❤

/Fanny Falkman Grinndal

Business Manager Nordics

fanny.falkman-grinndal@peptonicmedical.se