Women may expect uncomfortable symptoms when they reach menopause and their ovaries stop producing estrogen. However, symptoms often begin years before menopause.

"Estrogen levels often start to drop when women are in their late 30s or 40s and their bodies transition to menopause," says Sheldon Paul, MD, an OB/GYN whose office is located near Valley Hospital. "During this transition phase, called perimenopause, many women develop very uncomfortable, menopause-like symptoms."

Symptoms of perimenopause
Perimenopausal symptoms often come and go, and women don't expect symptoms while they're still menstruating. You may be experiencing perimenopause if you have some of these symptoms:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Breast tenderness
• Anxiety, depression and/or irritability
• Fatigue
• Irregular periods
• Decreased sex drive
• More intense premenstrual symptoms
• Sleeping difficulties

"It's important for women to know that they may have symptoms during perimenopause and to seek help if they do develop symptoms," says Dr. Paul. "Women don't have to be miserable during perimenopause."

Help is available
To diagnose perimenopause, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and may perform tests to measure your hormone levels and thyroid function. Your doctor may recommend that you take low-dose birth control pills for a short time to relieve your symptoms. Birth control pills may serve a dual purpose because women can still become pregnant during perimenopause.

Lifestyle changes also can help improve your well-being. Here are some to keep in mind:

• Exercise regularly.
• Quit smoking.
• Get adequate sleep.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Limit alcohol consumption.
• Drink plenty of water.

If you have disturbing symptoms and think you may be experiencing perimenopause, talk with your doctor. And take heart -- symptoms usually diminish over time.

For more information about the gynecological services offered at Valley Hospital, visit our Web site at www.valleyhospital.net.

The Valley Health System c/o Valley Hospital Medical Center 620 Shadow Lane Las Vegas, NV 89106