The Perimenopause Test: Is There Such a Thing?
Perimenopause is part of the natural ageing process when your body transitions out of your fertile years and into your post-menopausal years. There is NO one test to tell you if you are in perimenopause.
QUICK RECAP:
Perimenopause = the transition years leading up to menopause
Menopause = a point in time when you haven't had your period for 12 months
Post Menopause = the years after you've reached menopause.
In terms of absolute black and white confirmation, there isn't any hormone test that can confirm if you're in perimenopause as your hormone levels are simply too erratic during these and a snapshot test won't give a clear picture.
You can only determine perimenopause by your age and the symptoms you're experiencing.
Things you should take into consideration when suspecting perimenopause, are
- Your age
- Menstrual history
- The symptoms or body changes you're experiencing.
The questions to ask yourself are…
- Am I over 40 years old? The average age to reach menopause (a point in time, when you haven't had a period for 1 year) is 51 and perimenopause tends to last between 2 - 12 years and on average between 4 - 6 years.
- Do things just feel different with my body and my cycle?
- What symptoms am I experiencing?
You can absolutely tell when you have reached menopause because you won't have had a period for 12 months and your Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) blood levels are elevated to 30 mIU/ml or higher. For this, there menopause, there is a test but you'll know
How to Tell If You're in Early Perimenopause
In the very early stages of perimenopause, your cycle can still be regular or it could be shortened to 21-26 days. Professor Jerilynn Prior says that a midlife woman with a regular cycle with three of the nine symptoms below is likely to be in peri:
- New-onset heavy and/or longer flow
- Shorter menstrual cycle (25 days or less)
- New sore, swollen or lumpy breasts
- New mid-sleep waking
- Increased menstrual cramps
- Onset of night sweats, in particular premenstrually
- New or markedly increased migraine headaches
- New or increased premenstrual mood swings
- Weight gain without changes in exercise or eating.
There are Four stages of Perimenopause: Which One Are You In?
The four stages of perimenopause are broken down into:
- Very Early Perimenopause
- Early Menopause Transition
- Late Menopause Transition
- Late Perimenopause.
Have a squiz at this diagram to see the different stages and what might be happening:
What Are The Most Common Perimenopause Symptoms?
You could experience one, several or (perish the thought) all of the following perimenopause symptoms:
- Misbehaving periods
- Heavier than usual bleeding
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Dry vajay-yay
- Mood swings
- Itchy skin
- Migraines
- Trash sleep
- Brain fog
- Weight gain
- Low libido
- Aching joints
- Bloating
- Anxiety
- Low energy.
Wildly fluctuating hormones, namely estrogen and progesterone, are the reasons we suffer symptoms in perimenopause.
Approximately 25% of women who experience natural menopause will have severe symptoms. The other 75% are likely to have mild or possibly no symptoms.
Whilst some of these symptoms can impact on the quality of your life, it can really help to remember that perimenopause is temporary. You will emerge on the other side.
Lifestyle Choices To Reduce Symptoms
- Include enough protein in your diet daily
- Move daily
- Have a healthy weight range
- Focus on good gut health
- Reduce your sugar intake
- Reduce your stress levels
- Include healthy fats in your diet
- Get good sleep (not always easy)
- Eat enough fibre in your diet
- Natural supports like our Peri Chai Latte, Peri Hot Choccy or Peri Protein POWder to supercharge our day and reduce perimenopausal symptoms.
Learn more about how to balance your hormones naturally.
Don’t suffer with symptoms, chat to your health professional and ask what’s available for you. If you don’t have someone lined up to chat to, we recommend checking out this registry with the Australasian Menopause Society, of doctors who have a special interest in perimenopause and menopause.
