Women in your mid-to-late 30s… have you been experiencing any (or all) of the following symptoms?
- lowered sex drive
- unexplained weight gain (especially around your middle)
- hot flashes
- night sweats
- shorter- or longer-than-usual cycles between periods
- heavier-than-usual periods (sometimes including blood clots)
- more painful/uncomfortable periods than before infertility
If so, you may be surprised to learn that your body could be entering into perimenopause.
As the name suggests, perimenopause is the stage before full-blown menopause. Though it typically is seen in women who are approximately 40 years or older, it can absolutely affect those in their 30s. And because it is a result of changing hormone levels, fertility changes are to be expected during this phase of life.
Perimenopause can last anywhere from a few years to a decade, so it’s not an indication that menopause is “just around the corner”. With that being said, it can and does cause many couples to have issues when it comes to conception, so it’s important to get a diagnosis if you’re not getting pregnant within a few months of trying sans contraception.
If you feel that you might be entering into perimenopause, never fear. Go to a reproductive specialist and discuss your concerns. If you are perimenopausal, he or she can help you identify a variety of fertility treatments to give you the best chances of having a child naturally.