Q: What are the symptoms of perimenopause and how can I deal with it? – S. Smith
A: Symptoms of Perimenopause
- Hot flashes
- Breast tenderness
- Worsening of premenstrual syndrome
- Decreased libido (sex drive)
- Fatigue
- Irregular periods
- Vaginal dryness; discomfort during sex
- Urine leakage when coughing or sneezing
- Urinary urgency (a pressing need to urinate more frequently)
- Mood swings
- Difficulty sleeping
READ: The Perimenopause Prescription
There are several ways to handle perimenopausal symptoms. Many women experience relief from hot flashes after taking low-dose birth control pills for a short period of time. Other options that may control hot flashes include the birth control skin patch, vaginal ring, bioidentical hormones and progesterone injections. There are also many over-the-counter gels for vaginal dryness.
If you have any feelings of mood swings or difficulty sleeping please tell your doctor so that you can quickly get this under control before it gets any worse. Talk to your doctor about the best method of treatment for your symptoms.
Visit the BlackDoctor.org Womens Health center for more helpful advice and tips.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ‘Ask Dr. Renee’. Follow me on Twitter @AskDrRenee and on my website.