The Estroven Menopause Monitor will tell you. The hormonal changes of perimenopause often begin in the late 30s and early 40s. The menstrual periods may not be affected by hormonal changes until we get close to menopause, although some women notice changes in the frequency or amount of bleeding during their 40s. More commonly women start to experience other symptoms first, such as anxiety, insomnia, hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, depression and heart palpitations. Even if you are not experiencing any symptoms, it is likely that your hormones are changing.

Night sweats, or hot flashes that occur at night, are quite common in early perimenopause, and are often one of the first symptoms that women experience. It is normal for hormones to begin to change around age 40, and for women to begin to experience some symptoms of hormonal change such as night sweats or hot flashes. Most women who have early perimenopausal symptoms experience menopause at the average age of 51. Night sweats and hot flashes are due to a variety of hormonal changes, not just to low estrogen.

Changes in the frequency and amount of menstrual bleeding are common in perimenopausal women. It is often due to excess stimulation of the endometrium (uterine lining) by estrogen, and a lack of progesterone to balance this effect of estrogen. While this is a common symptom, it is important to have your doctor check for overgrowth of the endometrium. Many doctors will prescribe a synthetic progestin to decrease the bleeding due to estrogen. Holistic physicians use natural progesterone to balance estrogen in perimenopause.

Many women experience this problem beginning in their early 40s. It is associated with the hormonal changes of perimenopause when there is often excess estrogen produced, or too much estrogen relative to progesterone in the body. Estrogen acts as a central nervous system stimulant, while progesterone has a relaxing effect on the brain. With excess estrogen, symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety and irritability are common. The use of supplemental progesterone can balance estrogen and may help to promote sleep and calm mood.

Many women in their late 30s and early 40s begin to have premenstrual symptoms due to the changes in hormones experienced at this time. Studies have shown that estrogen levels may rise and progesterone levels fall as women enter perimenopause, and this is more pronounced in the premenstrual time. Estrogen may increase fluid retention in the body, as well as have a stimulant effect on the brain and cause irritability. Other symptoms of estrogen excess include breast tenderness, insomnia, anxiety, and changes in the frequency of menstrual periods.

Hot flashes are due to hormonal changes, not just to low estrogen levels. Other hormone changes that can contribute to hot flashes include high or fluctuating estrogen, as well as low progesterone, low betaendorphin levels, and increased FSH, LH or cortisol. Research has shown that most perimenopausal age women (age 40-51) have normal or high estrogen and low progesterone levels, and the researchers recommend progesterone replacement rather than estrogen replacement for perimenopause.

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