These symptoms also do not develop until menopause occurs. The time it takes for the menopausal period to end, as well as its aftereffects, can vary considerably among women.
“It seems that on average, symptoms start to appear about four years before menopause. But in some women it can be as long as ten years before menopause,” said Dr. Lega, noting that depending on when symptoms begin, a person may experience symptoms for years after their last menstrual period.
“It’s everywhere,” Dr. Yuksel repeated.
While some symptoms may improve over time, others, such as vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, or bladder problems, may continue to worsen after menopause.
Treating menopause
Many women are unaware that there are therapies and treatments available for perimenopausal symptoms. They do not have to live with them until the transition period is over, but due to this lack of knowledge in this area, many do not even manage to seek treatment.
According to Dr. Lega they assume that they “have to deal with it”, but that is not the case.
There are several possible treatments, many of which target the symptoms a person experiences, including:
- Hormonal therapy
- Non-hormonal prescription medications, such as gabapentin, Fezolinetant, or antidepressants
- Lifestyle changes, such as diet, exercise and mindfulness
- Complementary therapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy
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