By: Kathy Hubbard
I first got suspicious when a customer made a snarky remark and I almost burst into tears. My suspicions were confirmed some time later when I drove through a blizzard in Colfax with the air conditioning on. Yup. It was perimenopause. I was on my way to menopause.
Perimenopause is when a woman’s ovaries gradually begin to make less estrogen. WebMD says that it usually starts eight to ten years before menopause. And it typically happens when we’re in our late 40s, although it’s not uncommon to start younger.
Let me get the terminology correct. Pre-menopause is the time between your first period and the onset of perimenopause which ends when you’ve gone twelve months without having a period, thus menopause, after which you’re post-menopause. Got it?
Premature menopause is when you go through menopause before you’re 40. WebMD says, “It can be caused by some medical conditions or procedures. If there is nonmedical or surgical cause for premature menopause, it’s called primary ovarian insufficiency.”
It won’t surprise you to know that every woman’s experience is different. “The average length of perimenopause is four years, but this stage may last only a few months or continue for 10 years,” WebMD says.
We’ve all heard about hot flashes, and night sweats, technically called vasomotor symptoms. You suddenly get warm and sweaty, your heart rate speeds up, and you might have trouble sleeping. You may have breast tenderness; worse premenstrual symptoms; lower sex drive; fatigue; vaginal dryness or discomfort during sex; leak urine when you cough or sneeze or you may need to urinate more frequently.
You may also experience short-term memory problems and have trouble concentrating. And, you might gain weight, grow hair in unexpected places and have eye issues such as blurred vision, swollen and reddened eyes, and vision changes. Adult acne, dry mouth issues and bruising are common as are joint problems.
“Skipped periods during perimenopause are common and expected,” Mayo Clinic explains. “Often, menstrual periods skip a month and return. Or they skip a few months and then start monthly cycles again for a few months. Period cycles tend to get shorter in early perimenopause, so periods are closer together. As menopause gets closer, periods get farther apart for months before they end.”
Important to know is that you can still get pregnant during this time. Know that you should continue to use birth control if you don’t want to add to your family. And, if you skip a period, but aren’t sure whether or not it’s due to perimenopause, take a pregnancy test.
Mayo says, “Keep seeing your healthcare professional for wellness visits and medical concerns before, during and after menopause. See your healthcare professional as soon as you can if you bleed from your vagina after menopause.”
And, while talking about your PCP, there are blood tests that can measure your hormone levels, and over-the-counter perimenopause tests. But be aware that your hormone levels will fluctuate during this time and the tests may not be 100 percent accurate.
You know that you can’t stop your body from perimenopause, but you can ease the symptoms with over-the-counter or prescription medications. Depending on your discomfort, your PCP may prescribe low doses of antidepressants, birth control pills, vaginal creams or estrogen therapy.
A word about menopause hormone therapy. Mayo Clinic says that it’s not only used to treat common menopause symptoms it also has been shown to prevent bone loss and reduce broken bones after menopause.
“But menopause hormone therapy does have risks,” they say. “These risks depend on the type of hormone therapy; whether the medicine is taken by mouth or applied on the skin; the dose of medicine; how long the medicine is taken; your age and personal health risks. Your healthcare provider can help you determine if the benefits outweigh the risks.”
Remember, you don’t need to go through this alone. Having a good relationship with your medical team is of utmost importance because the symptoms are real and can be stressful, uncomfortable and affect your whole family. Take advantage of your team’s expertise. You’ll thank me for it.
Kathy Hubbard is a member of the Bonner General Health Foundation Advisory Council. She can be reached at kathyleehubbard@yahoo.com. This article was written for publication in the Bonner County Daily Bee on July 16, 2025.
