WEIRD SYMPTOMS OF PERIMENOPAUSE * Spotlight My Health

There are weird symptoms of perimenopause that you may not know about. Alot of us know that symptoms come with menopause, but do you realize that many of those symptoms start years before in what is called perimenopause. And some of these symptoms can be down-right weird.

Menopause means “the ceasing of menstration” and “peri” means “before.” Menopause, itself isn’t really a process, because “menopause” is reached the minute that a woman has not had her period for 12 consecutive months. All the weird stuff comes before that.

Perimenopause is the ten years, give or take, before that, when the ovaries start to slow down causing all kinds of strange and weird symptoms to start for many women. This time period usually begins for most women between forty and fifty years of age.

Genetics can play a part in the when, how, and what, with this phase of your life, so ask your mother and grandmother when they remember starting with their symptoms.

It will possibly give you an idea of when you may start seeing signs of perimenopause and take some anxiety away when you do.

Perimenopause or Menopause

I want to concentrate on the lesser-known symptoms. These are the symptoms that don’t get talked about nearly as much.

Perimenopause and menopause differ for each woman, so our symptoms will also be different. If you don’t know about the stranger symptoms, you may not even realize that what you are feeling is caused by this change in your body.

With knowledge, you can be more prepared and less fearful when these symptoms start popping up.

Not So Well Know Symptoms of Perimenopause

Symptoms of perimenopause can be subtle, and you may not know what is going on for quite some time. Not all women are aware of the following symptoms because they are not talked about as much as the more well-known symptoms like the good ole hot flashes and night sweats.

Clumsiness and Bruising

Maybe it’s the brain fog that comes with perimenopause, that triggers the clumsiness. And because of this new symptom, along comes bruising. Have you ever gotten out of bed and wondered where various bruises have come from? Hormone changes contribute to the bruising.

Dental Problems

During perimenopause, some women may develop low-grade inflammation in their body. This inflammation can then lead to receding and inflammed gums.

Urinary Issues

You may think that you have a UTI (uninary tract infection) when in reality you really don’t. But see your doctor anyway. Better to be sure than suffer.

Something else that can cause women to have bouts of incontinence, is the loosening of internal structures and a weakened pelvic floor along with lower estrogen levels.

And if your uterus has fallen just a bit, this can cause the bladder to become very sensitive and cause urgency and even leakage.

Oh, and you don’t have to have had natural births to experience this wonderful feminine thing of nature!

Brain Fog or Forgetfulness

This could happen because the parts of our brains the pull up memories deteriorates with age, just like the rest of our body. The hormones that protect or repair these brain cells also decline. Luckily for us our brain cells continue to be produced.

The trick is, we need to keep moving and exercise our brains to keep the fog at bay. That means, do puzzles, read, be social, etc.

Do things throughout the day that will make your brain work for a bit. It’s like your body, if you don’t use it, you lose it.

Depression

Hormones play such a large part in the working of our bodies and when it comes to depression, this is no exception. When our hormones start to fluctuate, we can get blind sided with mood swings and/or depression. This is a good time to see your doctor.

Fatigue

Remember the days when you could work a full day outside your home and then come home and do what has to be done there? You may be tired, but not bone deep tired.

And then along comes perimenopause and being able to keep up with everything may go along the wayside for a bit.

This is a time in your life you need to take better care of yourself or many of the symptoms I’m writing about can get out of hand.

Check out my article on making your own personal retreat and pamper yourself a bit. Keep reminding yourself why you are now feeling bone-weary and just accept it. It’s part of this period of your life.

Flatulence and/or IBS

I know, I know—none of us like to talk about this subject, but sometimes, we gotta do what we don’t want to do. There are studies out there that say perimenopause may trigger IBS and other studies that disagree.

I just want to make you aware of the possibility that there may be changes in the frequency of your bowel movements along with discomfort and increased bloating.

And along with the bloating and gas retention that comes with it, well, let’s just say, it has to come out somewhere. So just be aware of these two things.

Chin Hair

Unfortunately, this sympton, I can vouch for. Out of no where, it seems many of us will get the dreaded moustache and then adding insult to injury along comes a chin full of thick, course hair. You may even begin to get acne again.

This is all caused by our wonderful hormones that just can’t seem to help themselves. Just make sure to get yourself a good set of tweezers and/or razor. Or if you are lucky enough to have dark hair—find the closest place to have hair removal done!

Ringing in the Ears

Near the end of your monthly cycle when progesterone levels are higher, some women will get hit with temporary tinnitus or ringing in your ears. Or you may hear a humming or buzzing.

Heart Palpitations

As your body tries to stimulate ovulation, you may also experience heart palpitations due to the increase in FSH or follicle stimulating hormone. If the heart palpitations happen and you are uncertain and it would relieve your mind and help you feel better, please call your doctor. It never hurts.

Irregular periods

This symptom should really go in with the common list, but many women don’t realize that perimenopause can cause havoc on your periods. Know that they can become heavier, longer, lighter, shorter and definitely sporadic.

You may have a period this month, then not for the next two months and then be regular again for the next six months, making you think the earlier missed periods were a fluke. It’s not. But you may want to keep track for several months so that you can discuss it with your doctor.

Bad Body Odor

Again, we have to blame hormones on this. When our estrogen levels decrease, it fools our hypothalamus gland into thinking we are too hot and therefore signals our body to sweat more.

What a pleasant symptom this one is and one a lot of us are not aware of. The shower will become your best friend and you may want to keep baby wipes in your desk, purse and car. They come in handy.

Hair Loss and/or Thinning Hair and Thinning Skin

This is also caused by fluctating hormones. These hormones pull a lot of weight in our bodies and when they are in flucuation, they can cause havoc with our bodies. And the thinning skin is another reason for seeing more bruises.

Increased Anxiety

Your heart starts to race, your breathing becomes faster, you are sweaty and maybe, even shaky. You think you are having a heart attack, but its most likely an anxiety attack.

Or you are having one of your first of many, hot flashes.

These hot flashes release adrenalin that causes your arteries to contract and this is what makes you feel anxious. Oh, the wonderful things that happen during perimenopause.

Tingling Arms and Legs

Perimenopause can make it harder for your body to absorb nutrients, so you may become deficient in some vitamins. For instance, B-12 is a common deficiency. Not having enough B-12 in your system can cause tingling in your hands and feet.

Rage

Yep, I’m talking about the extremely mad, absolutely furious, madness that can come over you in a heartbeat. And that is how fast it can happen. Your rage-fest can come out of no where and for any reason, no matter how slight.

And, yep, it’s due to your hormone flucuations, especially the dropping estrogen levels. I used to warn my family, friends and co-workers that the “bitch” is in session, so beware!

Typical Symtoms of Perimenopause

Many of us already know that this phase of a woman’s life can bring about what is known as hot flashes, insomnia, mood swings and night sweats. Along with weight gain, dry mouth and eyes, and a practically non-existent sex life, all are typical side affects of perimenopause for women the world over.

More Commonly Known Symptoms

Middle age spread/weight gain

Dry mouth, eyes and vagina

Non-existent sex life

Migraines

Aching joints

Bone loss

Dry, itchy skin

Hot flashes

Mood Swings

Night Sweats/Not Sleeping

I’m sure this list isn’t complete, since as I said earlier, each woman’s experience is different. For instance, I know for over 10 years I wore summer clothes all year long. I didn’t wear socks and I didn’t wear a coat, even in the middle of winter.

I just kept my coat in my car in case I needed it since going outside actually felt good to me.

I also kept a small fan on my desk at work that I used quite frequently. It feels very strange to me to be feeling cold again and now I keep a sweater at my desk and passed my fan on to someone else. Go figure.

Final Thoughts

My best advice for going through this stage in your life is to take it easy on yourself. Explain to your family, or at least to your significant other, the things they may expect or see in the next several years from you. This will make them aware and hopefully they will be more understanding.

Don’t be afraid to make some changes that may help you. Like having a ceiling fan put over your bed or changing the way you dress. Yes, people will notice, and they will comment, but so what. You gotta do what is best for you.

This is a time for you to look out for yourself, take walks, soak in the tub, read a book, whatever makes you feel good. Self-care is a good thing. Pamper yourself a bit. And know that this time in your life, even though it will seem like forever, will also pass.