Symptoms of Perimenopause | BlackDoctor.org

Perimenopause affects millions of women annually and can lead to significant anxiety and depression. Every time a woman goes through symptoms, she must adjust her life in a way that allows her to maintain a presentable appearance.

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That is why it is best to jump on top of it as soon as it starts so you can get a head start at making sure your life doesn't fall apart. For that reason, I'm here to help you by sharing these telltale signs that you may be experiencing perimenopause.

You can get help sooner and maintain everyday life by paying attention to these potential symptoms. That said, here are five easy perimenopause signs you can spot and potentially treat fast.

Heavy and More Frequent Periods

If your period is coming on thicker than usual, it might be time to consult your doctor about what may be the cause. It is common for women to have much more frequent and heavy periods in the early stages of perimenopause.

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This symptom is a real bummer because it forces them to visit the ladies' room more often than they would like. On top of that, a surprise visit from a heavy period could potentially ruin a bunch of clothes.

Remember, you can always combat this by doubling up on your pads or always having a change of clothes. Your change of clothes doesn't have to be anything major either, as it could just be an extra pair of underwear in your purse.

It would also be best to track the onset of these heavy flows so you are not caught off-guard in the future. If worse comes to worst, hormone treatments are a terrific option for women going through this tough time.

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Chills

Anemia is another noticeable symptom that comes with perimenopause. If you notice that you're getting much colder in typical situations, it may be time to see your doctor for options.

These chills can come at certain times when you're not ready for them and make a regular day more difficult. Unless you walk around 24/7 with a jacket, you'll be cold and/or shivering for quite a while without relief.

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Eating iron-rich foods is the best way to fight back against those shivers. Some meals you could eat are:

Iron-rich cereals
Kale
Spinach
Broccoli
Thyme
Basil
Turmeric

These are only a few out of a list of numerous options that you can use to increase the iron concentration inside of your body. Please note that some foods, such as coffee, tea, and certain calcium supplements, will lead to poor iron absorption.

Enjoying those more than two hours before eating iron-rich meals is best.

Extra Fatigue

Unfortunately, you will notice that you are much more tired than usual. This symptom is tougher to conclude if it is caused by perimenopause because it can come from several unrelated factors.

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However, treating your potential anemia will severely lessen the fatigue symptoms and make you feel much better throughout the day. It's hard to get an accurate read on this without testing for iron deficiency, so it's worth doing that to kill two birds with one stone.

Getting Sick Easily

Your immune system will take a major hit during perimenopause, making you sick much more quickly. The stress and hormonal imbalance accompanying the disorder will lead to an internal struggle for your health.

The cumulative damage the previous symptoms discussed will do can lead to complications such as pneumonia and even COVID-19. Keep your guard by staying hydrated, exercising regularly, and avoiding stressors.

Bloating

Finally, excessive bloating will become very apparent when you go through perimenopause. Once again, this symptom alone does not suggest the illness, but in concert with other symptoms, it is pretty indicative.

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Fortunately, there are numerous bloating relief methods that you can do to fight and avoid constipation and anxiety. Alongside staying hydrated, you can also: