Some of the most telling premenopausal symptoms, also known as perimenopausal symptoms, are the changes that occur in a woman's menstrual cycle. These changes include variations in regularity, duration, and flow. Sleep problems tend to arise during this stage of a woman's life. Other changes that may be experienced include facial hair growth, depression, and loss of sexual desire.
Menopause generally does not occur until a woman has reached at least 40. However, premenopausal symptoms can begin to threaten women many years earlier. For some women, problems start to surface in their mid-30s. One of the most telltale premenopausal symptoms is the variety of changes women sometimes notice with their menstrual cycles.
A perimenopausal woman who previously had a regular and reliable menstrual cycle may notice that her periods become erratic. In some cases, she may not have a period for several months. The amount of bleeding a woman experiences can fluctuate and the length of her cycle can change. Some women also experience premenopausal symptoms that are similar to the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), such as bloating and cramps.
Sleep difficulties are another category of premenopausal symptoms that women may experience. Some women have trouble falling asleep and others have trouble staying asleep. Premenopausal symptoms can greatly affect a woman's sex life. Although many women report a reduced desire for sex, many others may lose it altogether. When intercourse occurs, the level of enjoyment is often negatively affected by vaginal dryness, which is caused by a drop in estrogen levels.
Changes in a woman's hormonal balance are known to be the cause of many premenopausal symptoms. For example, perimenopausal women often have mood problems. They may be more irritable or experience depression or anxiety. Low estrogen levels are believed to be responsible for these problems to some extent. It is a matter of debate whether other factors also contribute to these problems.
In addition, women also often suffer from visible symptoms. For example, it is common to find that this condition causes hair loss in some places, such as the head, and stimulates hair growth in others, such as the face. This is attributed to high levels of testosterone, which is considered a male hormone. Dry skin can also become a problem for some women. This is usually attributed to the variation in hormones and the reduction in collagen production.