Signs and Symptoms of Perimenopause

The first signs of perimenopause may go unnoticed. They may be subtle and far between. The time span of the perimenopause stage of life can lasts up to 10 years. As the time of menopause approaches the symptoms may become more evident. Perimenopause starts for most women, in their late 30's or 40's. The signs and symptoms vary from woman to woman. Most women experience some symptoms along the way, however there are the lucky women who's only sign of perimenopause will be when their period stops. As a woman nears menopause estrogen and progesterone levels drop. Fluctuating hormone levels in the body are what cause Perimenopausal symptoms.

1.We have all heard of the dreaded hot flashes, these are akin to night sweats, flushes and cold flashes. They usually come on fast and leave you feeling hot and clammy or chilled.

2. Heart palpitations are another common symptom often described as a rushing heartbeat, or skipping heartbeat. This is a normal response to hormonal fluctuations and is quite common among those going through the perimenopause stage of life.

3. Irritability, anger and rage are very common during perimenopause.

4. Another frequent sign of perimenopause is mood swings and sudden tears. You may be happy one moment then sad and blue the next. Because of the extreme highs and lows these symptoms are sometimes misdiagnosed by members of the medical profession as being bipolar disorder.

5. Insomnia or trouble sleeping are very familiar to many perimenopausal women.

6. A woman's period will become irregular and may be heavier, lighter, longer or shorter. She may experience heavy prolonged bleeding. Phantom periods are also a symptom of menopause; a woman may get all the signs and symptoms of a period without the bleeding.

7. Loss of libido, many women does not lose their sex drive completely but may experience a temporary loss. Often this is attributed to not feeling well in general because of experiencing other perimenopause symptoms.

8. Loss of natural lubrication from falling hormones results in a dry vagina.

9. Fatigue is a common complaint among women who are in perimenopause.