Perimenopause vs. Menopause: Key Differences & How to Manage Them

03/15/2025

 

What is Menopause?

Menopause can be best termed as a single day when a woman has not had her period for 12 consecutive months. The time before it is known as perimenopause or pre-menopause, and the time after it is called post-menopause. Menopause marks the end of a female's menstrual cycle. But what does it mean for them?

Well, it simply means they will not be able to conceive anymore. This also means that there is a massive hormonal shift taking place in the female body during this time which may lead to symptoms such as hot flashes, moodiness, vaginal dryness, joint and muscle pain, night sweat, and forgetfulness. You may use generic menopause drugs to relieve these symptoms as they can be very uncomfortable and highly affect the quality of life.  

There is also a steep decline in estrogen levels in a woman’s body that may lead her to develop a few androgen-related features, such as facial hair. This decline in estrogen can also lead to dwindling cardiovascular and bone health and make her more prone to diseases such as osteoporosis and other heart conditions.

What Goes On in a Women’s Body During Perimenopause?

Let’s dive a bit deeper into human physiology to understand what exactly happens during perimenopause;

Beginning from puberty, the ovaries regularly release an egg into the fallopian tube, which is mainly governed by the hormonal composition of the body at the time. These hormonal changes follow a monthly cycle, and the egg is released when levels of Luteinising Hormone, Estrogen, and Follicle Stimulating Hormone are at their peaks.  When the egg fails to be fertilized, the uterine lining sheds along with the egg, which is then termed a period.  

During perimenopause, the ovaries eventually lower and stop the release of eggs. This is facilitated by the decline in production of estrogen and progesterone as well. In a desperate attempt to ovulate, your body increases the release of a hormone known as follicle-stimulating hormone (a hormone that induces ovulation). These elevated levels can signify a woman nearing menopause.

Eventually, there is a depletion in follicles in the ovaries, because of which there are no more cycles that can be produced. This, in turn, decreases estrogen levels. Low levels of estrogen reduce the attempt of ovulation as well, and the cycle eventually comes to a halt, signifying menopause and post-menopause.

Stages of Perimenopause

Perimenopause usually begins in the late 30s to mid-40s for many women. Here is a breakdown of all the symptoms and phases they experience.

Early stage:

• You may begin to experience irregular periods as your first symptoms, with irregular spotting and some discomfort due to vaginal dryness.

• You then start to experience mental or mood changes that lead to increased irritability, anxiety, and depression. (anxiety as a symptom has not been completely studied as a symptom of perimenopause)

• You may also experience physical changes; weight gain.

Late stage:

• You will begin to skip periods for months altogether. You will have added night sweats, hot flashes, and mood imbalances.

• You may also experience memory loss, brain fog, or some other alteration in your cognitive abilities.

• By the end of this phase, you will have not had a menstrual cycle for 12 months consecutively.

What are the Key Differences between Perimenopause and Menopause?

Perimenopause is a stage in a woman’s life where her body is preparing for menopause. This period may last for a few months to a decade. Perimenopause is a time when you are experiencing irregular periods, signaling that your body is still ovulating. However, you are also experiencing other symptoms of estrogen and progesterone decline, such as night sweats, hot flashes, urinary issues, etc.

Menopause is a single day where you have not had a single menstrual cycle in 12 months, marking the end of the reproductive stage for a woman. After this day, a woman enters a post-menopausal stage where she may experience changes in her physical appearance with weight gain, hair loss, facial hair, mood changes such as irritability, and changes in her libido.

What are some Medications that Help Perimenopause?

Some medications that can be helpful during perimenopause to ease uncomfortable symptoms are:

Hormone Therapy:

• Estrogen: One can use medicines such as generic Estradiol 1mg tablet for menopause. These medications maintain estrogen levels in the body, making it easier to transition to menopause and easing symptoms of perimenopause.

• Estrogen and Progesterone: Medications such as Angeliq and Provera can also be used in certain cases to ease symptoms of menopause. It is important to talk to your healthcare provider to determine which course of action is best suited for you.

Other Medications:

• To combat depression: Antidepressants that fall under the class of SSRIs or SNRIs are used during perimenopause to mitigate the mood/mental changes that happen due to a gigantic and sudden hormonal shift in a woman’s body.

• To deal with hot flashes: Medications such as gabapentin and oxybutynin are used to deal with hot flashes. One can also treat hot flashes with hormone replacement therapy and other means, which should be discussed with your doctor.

• For Vaginal dryness: Specific over the counter of prescription creams and lubricants can be used to deal with vaginal dryness.

While these are not all the medications that can be used to improve the quality of life in women going through perimenopause, they sure provide an insight into the options available to them.

Some Tips to Manage Perimenopause

Do not shy away from using medication during perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause, as it can significantly increase your quality of life during such an important stage in the process of aging. However, these medications need to be facilitated with a healthy lifestyle to reap the benefits out of them:

• Healthy diet: It is vital to have a protein-rich diet with a decent amount of vitamin D as you may start losing bone and muscle strength during this time, and this diet can help replenish the loss greatly.

• Healthy choices: Limiting and avoiding smoking and alcohol use can be a great step towards easing your perimenopausal symptoms as it provides rest to your body from the random rushes of dopamine and serotonin. It is more helpful to harvest your feel-good hormones from habits such as exercise.

• Enough sleep: You need enough sleep to keep your body’s metabolism, working, and other systems in check. You should not strain your body unnecessarily while it’s already going through such a huge shift.

• Relieve your stress: Practicing meditation and other ways to keep your mind at rest. Practice hobbies that require passive focus, such as reading, mandala art, etc.

Takeaway

Perimenopause can be a difficult stage in a woman’s life as their bodies go through a considerable shift hormonally, mentally, and physically. It may affect not only her health but almost all aspects of her life and even lead to confusion and overwhelm. However, you can buy Menopause Drugs online and make your lives easier. Women’s health should be talked about more often and more openly. It is a phase all women go through in their lives, and it is important to be aware of and support them through this time.