Perimenopause Specialist

When does perimenopause start?

The transition to menopause, or perimenopause, begins several years prior to the cessation of your menstrual cycle. Usually, it occurs in your 40s, but it can start in your 30s or even earlier. It can last anywhere from a few months to 10 years. The average length of perimenopause is six years. You know you’ve fully transitioned to menopause when you’ve gone 12 months without a menstrual period.

Perimenopause only occurs with natural menopause. If you have surgical or drug-related menopause, you won’t have as long of a transition.

What are the symptoms of perimenopause?

Symptoms of perimenopause occur due to changing hormone levels, specifically a decline in estrogen as well as other hormones. You can experience any number of the following symptoms during perimenopause:

• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Diminished sex drive
• Fatigue and trouble sleeping
• Mood swings and memory problems
• Irregular periods and worsened premenstrual syndrome
• Vaginal dryness and painful intercourse

Urinary problems, such as increased urgency and leaking, may also occur. These symptoms and your age may be enough to diagnose perimenopause, but Dr. Cha may order a blood test to check your hormone levels.

Can I get pregnant during perimenopause?

It’s still possible to get pregnant during perimenopause. You should use some form of birth control if you want to prevent pregnancy. Your fertility levels do drop, but the potential exists up until menopause sets in.

What are the treatments for perimenopause?

Dr. Cha performs salivary and blood testing to evaluate your hormone levels and determine if she can help ease your symptoms with hormone replacement therapy. Estrogen declines as you enter perimenopause, which can cause your symptoms, but these tests can reveal crucial information about other deficiencies, excesses, and daily patterns. Salivary and blood testing can evaluate the sex hormones of estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone as well as the main adrenal hormones of DHEA and cortisol.

By balancing any hormone irregularities, Dr. Cha can help lessen your symptoms or make them disappear altogether. Hormone replacement therapy is particularly helpful in relieving vaginal dryness and hot flashes.

Women's Health Specialist of North Atlanta also offers MonaLisa Touch® vaginal laser therapy, a life-changing treatment that combats menopausal discomforts including dryness, urinary incontinence, and burning. The laser stimulates collagen production so the tissue of the vaginal wall strengthens and rehydrates to bring you relief.

Dr. Cha also offers integrative medicine support to hormone and MonaLisa Touch therapy to help you manage the transition to menopause. Diet, supplements, and lifestyle changes are included as part of your individualized treatment plan.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of perimenopause, establish a relationship with Dr. Cha at Women's Health Specialist of North Atlanta so she can help you through this sometimes challenging stage of your life with her holistic approach. Call the office or use the convenient online booking agent to make an appointment today.