Perimenopause: Recognizing the Signs of Your Time

At Southdale ObGyn, we understand the impact of changing hormones during perimenopause. Krista Margolis, our Holistic Health Nurse Practitioner, is here to help guide you through the answers to many of your questions and provide options to manage symptoms.

What is perimenopause and how is it different from menopause?

Perimenopause is a time in your life when your hormones are changing. It is a transition time to menopause and it may last for several years. Menopause is defined as the time where your ovaries are no longer producing hormones.

My periods are charging. What should I do?

Changes in periods can be a normal part of perimenopause, along with weight gain, insomnia, mood changes, and hot flashes. Bleeding that is very heavy or irregular should be evaluated by your doctor to determine if hormone changes are the only cause.

Is hormone therapy safe?

Yes, hormone treatment during perimenopause can be safe, and we will do a thorough evaluation to determine if it is the right choice for you.

How do I handle these mood swings?

Mood swings are related to the fluctuations in hormones. Exercise, stress management, yoga, meditation, and acupuncture can all help.

I’m hot and sweaty. What causes these hot flashes?

Hot flashes are caused by a lack of estrogen. Estrogen supplements are one way to alleviate your hot flashes, diet, exercise, and natural supplements are other options as well.

Sex has become painful, is that normal?

Painful intercourse can be caused by lower hormone levels. We will discuss several different treatment options with you. One of these options is the MonaLisa Touch. The MonaLisa Touch is a fast, safe, and simple laser treatment that takes only five minutes to perform. It helps to restore your gynecologic health when estrogen levels decline.