It’s time for a little demystification around the topic of menopause and perimenopause. While all women go through this time of change, there’s still a lot of misinformation out there about what it’s like, when it happens, and how perimenopause impacts you.
At Women’s Health Partners of the Permian Basin, board-certified OB/GYN Dr. Mary Grace Bridges makes sure you know the truth from the myths when it comes to menopause and perimenopause. In this blog, she debunks four common myths about perimenopause. If you have any other myths in mind that are causing you concern, don’t hesitate to talk to Dr. Bridges and her team of women’s health professionals, conveniently located in Odessa, Texas.
Fact: There’s a lot of confusion around the difference between menopause and perimenopause. While it’s common to hear talk about menopause symptoms, the time when your periods are becoming irregular and your hormones are in flux is more correctly called perimenopause.
Perimenopause typically lasts for multiple years, sometimes as long as eight. You’re not technically in menopause until it’s been a full 12 months since your last menstrual period. Perimenopause is the journey, and menopause is its end.
Fact: After menopause, your fertility ends, and you can’t conceive or become pregnant. However, during perimenopause, you should continue to practice good family planning habits, because your fertility can be unpredictable. As long as you’re still having periods, even if they’re erratic or irregular, you can become pregnant.
Fact: While most women enter menopause between the ages of 45 and 55, each person’s body handles this time of transition a little differently. The transition can begin while you’re still in your 30s.
Some medical conditions or medications make it more likely that you’ll experience early menopause, and there may be a genetic element as well. But you can’t assume your menopause will happen at the same point in your life as your mother’s, either. Instead, stay in touch with your body and check in with Dr. Bridges about any suspected symptoms.
Fact: The hormone changes associated with entering menopause can leave you suffering from uncomfortable symptoms, from hot flashes to night sweats to mood swings. When you’re just beginning perimenopause, you might not realize that your symptoms are associated with the change.
Once you connect with the team at Women’s Health Partners of the Permian Basin, you benefit from expert, experienced, supportive care. Talk to your provider about your recent health and wellness, and learn what treatments, therapies, or lifestyle changes are available to smooth your passage through this period.
You may benefit from diet and exercise changes, better stress management strategies, or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to restore your body’s balance. Discomfort may be a part of perimenopause for many, but with the right treatment, your symptoms can be effectively managed until you’re through menopause and have arrived at your body’s new normal.
For personalized perimenopause support, contact Women's Health Partners of the Permian Basin online or over the phone and schedule your initial consultation appointment now.
