Perimenopause: The early changes in women's bodies

Doctors said it's just as important to know what happens before menopause.

As part of our "Ask the Expert" series, in partnership with Bon Secours St. Francis, 7NEWS spoke with an Obstetrics and Genecology doctor about the signs and symptoms of perimenopause.

Hot flashes, a change in menstrual cycle, mood swings, and simply just feeling 'different'- doctors said they're all signs of menopause in women.

"The general age for menopause is actually around 50 to 51," said Dr. Kelly San Miguel.

During that time, Bon Secours OBGYN, Dr. Kelly San Miguel, said women stopped having menstrual cycles.

When a woman is cycle-free for a full year, she's in menopause. But in the months and years before that, San Miguel said many women go through a health cycle known as 'perimenopause.'

"Perimenopause is the transitional phase for women that they go through kind of in their mid-30s to 40s before they go through menopause," said San Miguel.

During that time, doctors said women's estrogen levels begin decreasing, causing irregular periods and fluctuating hormones.

"They might start either going months without periods or their periods might even change. They might have lighter cycles or heavier cycles. Then internally, they start having hormonal fluctuations," San Miguel explained.

Before you jump to the conclusion that your symptoms are perimenopause, doctors said to be mindful. The symptoms are similar to those of pregnancy.

"So perimenopause and pregnancy are probably the most similar in the fact that you're just having irregular periods," said San Miguel. "The first thing I would do is just recommend taking home pregnancy tests." 

Whether you are just entering your 30s or well into your 50s, medical professionals said all bodies are different and changes could happen at any time.

There are doctor-recommended steps that could help relieve some of your symptoms.

"Dressing in layers," San Miguel said. "So what that means is kind of wearing like a tank top or t-shirt and having a cardigan. So when they get these periods of hot flashes, they can take layers off. Then at night, if they start feeling the night sweats, being able to have a fan, being able to lower the temperature, or even having a comforter they can remove and just having a sheet they can sleep on."

Doctors said diet and exercise also play a big role in how your body is affected by perimenopause.

If you don't feel relief, medical professionals said there are several medication options OBGYN's can help recommend.

To submit a health topic for our 'Ask the Expert' series, click here.