Your primary care doctor or a women’s health specialist can determine if you’re entering the menopause transition. It’s important to eat well, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly to maintain your health during this time.
The menopause transition typically starts in your late 30s to mid-40s, but it can begin before or after this.
If you’re in your 30s or 40s, around the age your biological mother started perimenopause, or have other reasons to suspect you’re entering the menopause transition, it’s important to speak with some key health professionals.
They can answer your questions and set you up with a treatment plan that helps relieve your symptoms and keep you healthy as you age.
Healthline aims to bolster the discourse around menopause, which is why we asked Shilpa Amin, MD, CAQ, FAAFP, about some steps you can take when you reach this natural time of life.
Some health professionals you should consult with may include:
- your primary care doctor
- a women’s health expert
- your gynecologist
- a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner
One of these professionals can help ensure that other hormonal changes or physiological causes are not the cause of your symptoms.
They may test your hormone levels, or you can try an at-home test, to look for specific biomarkers, but these tests can’t definitively tell you whether you’re in perimenopause.
You do not have to take any medication while in perimenopause, but you may find hormone therapy (HT) helps manage some of your symptoms.
Systemic hormone therapy
Prescription hormone medications consist of estrogen or progesterone (or both), which are available as:
- oral pills
- creams
- gels
- patches
Symptom treatment with systemic HT during perimenopause lasts for 2 to 5 years on average, but it may be longer or shorter depending on your:
- symptoms
- needs
- benefits
- risk factors
Local hormone therapy
You can use vaginal creams or pills as local HT to help relieve vaginal dryness associated with genitourinary syndrome of menopause.
For most people, with regular gynecological care and surveillance, local HT does not carry the same risks as systemic HT. You can also use it for longer.
Your doctor may prescribe antidepressants and anti-seizure medications to help with mood stabilization and as adjunctive therapies.
Consultation with a menopause or women’s health specialist on these therapies is strongly advised to ensure you’re on a treatment plan that’s tailored to your needs.
What about nonhormonal options?
HT may not be suitable for everyone. If you and your doctor have determined it’s not right for you, many nonhormonal options are still available. Learn about them here.
Menopause is a good time to reassess your lifestyle and make adjustments to optimize your health to help reduce your risk of:
- cardiovascular disease
- brain function decline
- weakened core strength
- decreased muscle mass
- osteoporosis or bone health deterioration
Lifestyle adjustments to help enhance your quality of living may consist of:
- consuming nutritious foods
- exercising regularly
- reducing caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol intake
- managing stress
- improving sleep hygiene
Speaking with a women’s health expert, your primary care doctor, or a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner is a great first step if you think you’re starting perimenopause.
One of these health professionals can confirm whether you’re starting the menopause transition or if hormone fluctuations and any symptoms may be due to another condition.
If you are entering perimenopause, it’s important to prioritize maintaining a balanced lifestyle, ensuring you incorporate exercise, stress management, and nutritious eating into your routine.