Less fear. More informed care.

It can affect more than your periods.

During perimenopause, hormone levels change and fluctuate. Irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, disrupted sleep, mood changes, and difficulty concentrating can occur. Symptoms vary widely. [9]

When sleep is interrupted, energy, patience, and concentration can suffer too. Symptoms may affect work, relationships, intimacy, and confidence. Struggling does not mean you are failing to cope. [9]

Bone health also deserves attention as estrogen declines. Not every new symptom is caused by perimenopause; individual assessment helps identify other causes. [9] [11]

You can ask about hormone therapy.

Systemic menopausal hormone therapy, including estrogen patches or pills, is the most effective treatment for bothersome hot flashes and night sweats. Symptom relief may also improve sleep, and treatment can help prevent bone loss. [10]

People with a uterus usually need a progestogen alongside systemic estrogen to protect the uterine lining. Low-dose vaginal estrogen is a different option for vaginal and some urinary symptoms. [11]

Hormone therapy can make a meaningful difference to quality of life for suitable patients. It does not relieve every symptom, and effective nonhormonal options are available too. [11] [12]

Understand your own benefits and risks.

For many healthy women with bothersome symptoms who start before age 60 or within 10 years of menopause, the balance of benefits and risks is favorable. Your history, treatment type, dose, route, and duration matter. [10]

Potential risks include blood clots, stroke, and breast cancer; these vary by treatment and person. A history of certain cancers, blood clots, stroke, or significant liver disease can make systemic therapy unsuitable. Review the choice regularly with your clinician. [10] [11]