18 Perimenopause Signs and Symptoms

You're not going crazy. You're just perimenopausal.

You feel that something is wrong with you. You are not the same gregarious, happy, carefree woman that you were for the most part of your adult life. Lately, you are always in pain, always confused, always forgetful, and always irritable. You see the signs and symptoms of perimenopause but you're just not sure if it really is what you think it is.

Perimenopause is a tricky condition. Sometimes you think that you just have a simple irritation or an infection gone really bad. In reality though, it's hard to say that you're already in that phase because there are no clear-cut signs. Every woman experiences different symptoms. You are left to make a guess, or get some tests to make sure that you are already perimenopausal.

Do you suspect you may be in perimenopause? See if you recognize any of these signs and symptoms:

Genetics. Ask your mother when she went through menopause and what her symptoms were like. Most likely, since you have the same genes, you will experience menopause at about the same time she did and in about the same manner.

Changes in your period. During perimenopause, period varies from light to heavy and you may have irregular cycles or duration that are shorter or longer than your usual regular periods.

Mood changes. Depression, irritability and anxiety are but common perimenopause symptoms. Most women experience these thinking that they're going crazy. The don't realize that they are probably in perimenopause.

Irregular heartbeat. Sometimes, palpitations are a tell-tale sign that something is definitely wrong.

Hot flashes/flushes, night sweats. Simply put, you have these flashes because they are the effects of declining ovarian estrogen production.

Vaginal dryness and loss of libido. Sometimes, you will even find sex so repulsive that you can't stand the mere thought of it. Hence, vaginal dryness - due to the decreased production of estrogen - can result in painful intercourse.

Sleep problems. You might think it's insomnia, but it could be just one of the many symptoms of being perimenopausal. This pertains to trouble in sleeping all through the night - with or without night sweats.

Dizziness. Loss of balance.

Depression and doom thoughts. In some cases, the depression is so severe that you sometimes think about death - sometimes picturing another person's or your own.

Weight gain, specifically around the waist or thighs.

Aching, sore joints and muscles. Visit your doctor to rule out carpal tunnel syndrome (compression of a main nerve in the wrist, leading to muscle weakness in the hand).

Hair loss or increase in facial hair.

Cognitive facilities affected. Memory lapses, disorientation, difficulty in concentration and mental confusion are just some of the symptoms.

Tingling in the extremities. If you feel your hands, arms, legs and feet tingling, there is also a chance that you have vitamin B-12 deficiency, diabetes or a lack of potassium and calcium.

Gum problems or increased bleeding in your gums.

Urinary tract problems. You may experience incontinence or urinary tract infections. Sometimes, it also leads to yeast infections without you knowing it. For these cases, always consult a doctor as prescribed antibiotics are the best way to counter these.

Change in body odor.

Osteoporosis. This however, would only manifest in the latter part of your perimenopause.

A healthy, low-carbohydrate diet can help lessen some painful symptoms. Engaging in exercise - walking or any aerobic exercise - can help promote good blood circulation and ease the effects of some symptoms.

Meditative exercises like yoga and breathing exercises are also recommended for physical as well as mental well-being. Alternative and traditional medicines are readily available as well to help ease specific symptoms.