The changes that women’s bodies undergo as the reproductive years come to an end take time and come with many different and, in some cases, unexpected symptoms. As you enter your 50s, you’re likely to enter menopause. But symptoms of this change can begin much earlier, even in your 40s.
Once it’s been a full calendar year since your last menstrual period, you’re in menopause. Before that, as your body starts to change, you’re in perimenopause.
At Longoria OBGYN in El Paso, Texas, board-certified OB/GYN Dr. Leonardo A. Longoria provides care and support throughout this part of your life, ensuring your ongoing health and wellness.
This period of transformation comes with many physical, mental, and emotional impacts. Obvious symptoms, like hot flashes and increasingly irregular periods, let you know that menopause is on its way. But what are some unexpected perimenopause symptoms that could affect you?
Perimenopause involves changes in the hormones that regulate your oil production and hair growth. You may notice changes to your hair, nails, and skin.
Your skin may become more acne-prone as your estrogen levels decline, or you could suffer from dry or itchy skin. You could also develop rosacea.
The hair on your head could start shedding more, or become drier or thinner. It may become more difficult to grow hair to longer lengths. Hair on your legs and arms thins. At the same time, you might notice more hair on your chin.
Hormones impact your mood, emotions, and mental health. The hormone changes of perimenopause may result in more mental health symptoms than you’re prepared for.
It’s not just a question of increased menopausal irritability. Panic disorders can be a symptom of perimenopause. Throughout perimenopause, you have an increased risk of developing depression or anxiety, even if you’ve never suffered from these mental health conditions before.
Many people don’t realize that estrogen impacts their gastrointestinal (GI) tract and gut health. However, your estrogen levels decline as you approach menopause, and this connection can be the cause of uncomfortable symptoms. Suddenly, you find that you can’t eat the way you used to.
Both constipation and diarrhea can become more frequent during perimenopause. You may also generally feel more sensitive to GI disturbances than you did in your 20s.
Metabolism changes contribute to weight gain, which can, in turn, leave you more prone to acid reflux issues. And, you may feel more bloated more often during this time of your life.
Going through perimenopause and menopause can be an uncomfortable experience, but the right care makes all the difference. Dr. Longoria educates you on the changes your body is going through, suggesting treatments and therapies such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or physical therapy to smooth out your experience.
Lifestyle changes, mental health support, and attentive care ease your symptoms and allow you to move forward into your next phase of life. As you navigate the changes of perimenopause and menopause, we’re here to help. Schedule an appointment at Longoria OBGYN today by calling our office or booking online.
