It is discreet but revealing of the beginning of the hormonal transition according to our gynecologist.
All women know it: one day or another, menopause will eventually arrive. But before her, another stage just as important marks the start of hormonal changes: the meadow or perimenopause. “In France, the average age of menopause is 51 years”, Reminds us of Dr. Monelle Leclercq, medical gynecologist and general secretary of the FNCGM. “Summenopause generally begins around 45-47 years” continues our interlocutor.
Menopause is characterized by stopping rules. But what about pre-menopause? Several symptoms may appear in quarantine: premenstrual syndrome amplified with more sensitive breasts, headache, more marked irritability, more intense sleep disorders, hot flashes, night sweats, a drop in libido or even an explanation. “Many women say they no longer recognize themselves. Their body reacts differently, their mood changes from one day to the next” reports our interlocutor.
If these signs can mark the entry into pre-menopause, only one really confirms it : “Menstrual irregularities, that’s what alerts most often” Observe Dr. Leclercq. Clearly: cycles are no longer alike the other. “Some women jump a month without having rules, then have very abundant, or shorter rules than usual” details the specialist. These changes are explained by hormonal fluctuations typical of this period. In women under hormonal contraception (pill, implant), these symptoms can go unnoticed. “The cycle being artificially regulated, it masks the signs of the perimenopause. If in doubt, it may be useful to suspend contraception for a few weeks to observe what is happening naturally.”
When pre-menopause is there, don’t panic, everything will be fine. “”As soon as the symptoms become annoying or settled, do not hesitate to consult. There are solutions: lifestyle, physical activity, food, or natural progesterone to regularize cycles. It is not a shame or an end in itself. The perimenopause is a natural passage. The more informed women are, the more they experience this transition with serenity “, concludes Dr. Leclercq.
