Menopause is a normal part of life for women. It's important to know the signs and symptoms and how to navigate life in this new normal. There are three phases of menopause: perimenopause, menopause, and post menopause.
What’s The Difference Between Menopause and Perimenopause?
Menopause happens when your ovaries stop making estrogen (the hormone that controls your menstrual cycle), signaling the end of your reproductive years. You’ve officially entered menopause after twelve consecutive months without a period.
Perimenopause is the transitional period leading up to menopause. For most women, this happens between ages 45 and 55. Perimenopause can last between seven to 14 years; how long it lasts depends on:
age when perimenopause begins
if you smoke
race and ethnicity
weight
medical conditions or treatments
Signs and Symptoms of Perimenopause
While each woman may experience perimenopause differently, a few signs and symptoms are:
changes in your menstrual cycle such as longer, shorter or skipped periods
hot flashes
trouble sleeping
vaginal dryness
trouble controlling your bladder
hair growth or loss
mood changes
weight gain
Common Questions During Perimenopause
Can I get pregnant? Yes. If you still get a period, even if it’s irregular, you can get pregnant. You should continue using birth control if you don’t want to become pregnant.
Will perimenopause affect my sex life? It’s possible you may have pain during sex due to vaginal dryness or other symptoms associated with menopause.
Is there treatment? Call your provider if symptoms begin to affect your daily life. There’s no cure for perimenopause, but there may be ways to reduce your symptoms:
vaginal creams or lubricants for discomfort during sex
antidepressants for help with depression and mood swings
birth control pills or other treatments to stabilize hormone levels
Staying Healthy After Menopause
It’s important to live a healthy lifestyle after menopause because hormonal changes put you at an increased risk for heart attacks, stroke and osteoporosis.
Eat a balanced, nutrient-dense diet. Try to consume foods with plenty of calcium and vitamin D for healthy bones.
Exercise regularly. Maintain a healthy weight and do exercises like strength training, yoga and walking to help keep your bones strong.
Visit your provider for regular health screenings and take advantage of your no-cost preventive care.
Resources for TRS-ActiveCare and TRS-Care Standard
Provider Finder®
Use Provider Finder® to search for an in-network Primary Care Provider or OB-GYN that fits your needs.
Mental Health Care
Mental health issues are common before, during and after menopause. If you feel depressed, anxious or think you might need help navigating this stage of life, support is available. You can get mental health care in-person, virtually and digitally.
Ovia HealthTM
The Ovia HealthTM app provides support and guidance to understand and manage menopause with confidence.