Perimenopause is a two to ten year transitional time before your menstrual period stops. The hormonal changes happening during this time can sometimes make you feel as though you're going crazy. Relax. The good news is that you're not. Your body is just going through transition in order that it can eventually settle into menopause.

To know if you are indeed in the perimenopausal phase, here are a few symptoms:

1. The infamous hotflashes. These can be anything from a mild flush to profuse sweating.

2. Changes in your periods. Your period may become lighter, heavier, longer in duration, the time between periods can be shorter or longer.

3. Forgetfulness. You may forget things more easily and feel hazy.

4. Sleeplessness. Perimenopausal women sometime have trouble getting to sleep, and staying asleep.

5. Bladder Control. You feel like you can't hold "it", and you need to get to the bathroom...in a hurry. Sometimes sneezing, coughing, or laughing will cause urine leaks.

6. Painful intercourse. Because the lining of the vagina is thinning, there can be some bleeding after intercourse. Sex can also be uncomfortable or painful due to dryness caused by lower levels of estrogen.

These are just a few of the symptoms. If any of these symptoms are unbearable, you have concerns, or questions, please see your physician.

For more information, see the following books:
"You're not Crazy, It's Your Hormones", by Gillespie
"Menopause Made Easy", by Dr Jean-Marat
"The Premature Menopause Book", by Spataro

Learn more about this author, Sherry Thomas.
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