During the years leading up to menopause, when you experience associated symptoms but you have not yet reached that final end date, you are said to be going through perimenopause. Perimenopause usually starts in a woman's 40s, but it can also start in her 30s or even earlier. Here is a list of some symptoms women can experience in perimenopause.

Hot flashes and night sweats
Hot flashes are the most commonly known symptoms of perimenopause. During perimenopause, you can have a sudden feeling of intense heat which encompasses your entire body and may be followed by day or night sweats. Hot flashes may be slightly relieved by eating a balanced and healthy diet, but you are also recommended to discuss hormone therapy with your doctor.

Reduced sex drive
In perimenopause, the sex hormones decrease. This is a common reason for vaginal dryness, making sex painful or just not as enjoyable as before. In addition, a woman's arousal levels peak when she ovulates. If you are no longer ovulating, then your arousal will diminish. You may experience difficulty with the sex act itself.

Irregular menstruation
Your periods have been appearing like clockwork for the past 20 or 30 years, they last for the same number of days and they follow a certain pattern of flow. At the onset of perimenopause, as ovulation becomes more unpredictable, you may experience prelonged menstrual period, curtate menstruation, and you may even skip some periods.

Mood fluctuations
Some women experience mood swings, irritability or increased risk of depression during perimenopause. The cause of these symptoms may be sleep disruption caused by hot flashes. During perimenopause, mood changes may also be caused by these factors.

Vaginal and bladder problems
When estrogen levels diminish, your vaginal tissues may lose lubrication and elasticity, making intercourse painful. Low estrogen levels may also leave you more vulnerable to urinary or vaginal infections. Loss of tissue tone may contribute to urinary incontinence.

Skin Changes
When your estrogen levels drop, your skin loses its elasticity and becomes thinner as your collagen decreases. This makes you more prone to wrinkles but throughout your entire body you may notice your skin taking on a looseness and texture it didn't have before.

If you still have any problems about menopause, don't hesitate to consult online doctors, such as Wuhan Dr. Lee’s TCM Clinic to get professional online help.