Gynaecological health
Perimenopause: transition to menopause
Gynaecological health
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the term “menopause” means the pause or permanent end of the menstrual period, and it is an event that is evaluated retrospectively, i.e. it can be said that a woman has entered menopause if she has gone for 12 months without menstruation since she had her last period.
But what happens during those 12 months that range from the last period to the “official start” of menopause? According to experts, this prior time period would be perimenopause.
It is characterised by a set of endocrinological, unpredictable and variable changes that can cause various imbalances, from sleep disorders and hot flushes to mood swings, for example. However, the most indicative symptom is menstrual alterations: your period occurs more or less frequently, lasts more or fewer days, you have more or less bleeding, there are breaks between cycles…
All these irregularities fall within what may be normal at this stage. Nevertheless, for this very reason it can sometimes be difficult to tell whether vaginal bleeding is abnormal because there is some kind of medical condition or because the menopause is imminent. It is therefore recommended that you see a doctor if you experience the following symptoms:
- Vaginal bleeding more often than every three weeks.
- Heavy, excessive menstrual bleeding.
- Spotting between periods.
- Any vaginal bleeding one year after menopause (even if it is just a spot of blood).
However, some women experience no symptoms at all and just stop having periods overnight.
If you have a hormonal IUD or use a method that inhibits ovulation, but would nevertheless like to know what stage you are at, you can ask for an integrative visit and our medical team will provide you with an assessment.
What symptoms might you experience?
The first hot flushes and night sweats may occur. Menstrual periods become more or less frequent, there is more or less bleeding, you may go for months without a period and, finally, the last period takes place. Symptoms of skin and mucous membrane atrophy may also begin to appear.
