The other day Bossy was researching Perimenopause. Not because Bossy is anywhere near perimenopause age, mind you. But let’s just say Bossy has a friend who will someday, not anytime soon, approach perimenopause age.
Strictly speaking, perimenopause is when a woman’s body shifts from regular cycles of ovulation toward the permanent infertility of menopause. Peri is an Indo-European prefix meaning around or about — and meno pause is Greek for pausing men.
Still, there remain questions surrounding the what and when of this transition, so Bossy set out to gain some clarity regarding this condition. Shall we?
- Perimenopause begins when women are in their 40s. Unless they’re in their 30s. Or younger.
- The perimenopause stage lasts four years. Or ten.
- Perimenopause is defined by heavier periods. Or lighter.
- During perimenopause, the monthly cycle is closer together.
- During perimenopause, the monthly cycle is further apart.
- Unless it’s closer together (see #5.)
- Perimenopause periods are only a few days in duration. Or a week.
- During perimenopause a woman experiences decreased fertitlity due to a drop in hormones that won’t support a pregnancy.
- During perimenopause a woman can have a baby.
There! That should clear things up.
RuthWells says
February 24, 2011 at 1:07 pmDon’t forget the night sweats. Boy howdy.
Bev says
February 24, 2011 at 1:20 pmClear as mud…like most everything published that is related to health or politics or economics or diet or child rearing or education or …..
bossy's friend, martha says
February 24, 2011 at 1:30 pmThanks, Bossy. I have been curious myself, Now I won’t bother researching all day to find out I knew less than when I started.
Reeb says
February 24, 2011 at 1:36 pmI have one word to say about perimenopause: yam cream.
Oh wait, that’s two words.
In any case, get yourself some of this from a health food store, even though it costs a bundle, and rub a dab daily inside your arm or on other thin absorptive skin. It adds estrogen (that your system is losing) and stabilizes you from hot flashes. And being crazy. er.
It sure helped me. Helps the imprisoned constantly-pregnant mares who are tortured to make Premarin too.
MP says
February 24, 2011 at 1:37 pmBossy’s friend MP also has a friend who’s doctor started throwing things around like perimenpause.. it’s causing her to gain weight.. not want to exercise, eat french fries, cry and play lots of farmville.. and having only a couple periods a year.
Mira says
February 24, 2011 at 1:38 pmLove this!
Heide says
February 24, 2011 at 1:46 pmThank you! That sums it up perfectly.
Heide says
February 24, 2011 at 1:46 pmOh, and amen to RuthWells re: night sweats.
Lee says
February 24, 2011 at 1:51 pmHow about cramping? I have been felling cramping only second to childbirth. My night sweats are minimal but I do enjoy those occasional brief moments where I am transported to the sun for a short time only to be followed by a panic attack of emotions. Fun!
jeri says
February 24, 2011 at 2:11 pmDon’t hate me. Some people, such as myself, experience none of these problems and aren’t even aware that they’re going through it until sometime, months later, when you realize you haven’t had to go to the store to buy feminine products in who knows how long! Weight gain? Yes, but I’ve struggled with that my whole life so what else is new? I don’t know how I got to be so lucky as to not experience any of the symptoms we all hear about and dread experiencing, but I thank my lucky stars that I slipped through! Good luck to you all, and hope you slip through, too!
Z. Mulls says
February 24, 2011 at 2:21 pmCan you cook with yam cream? Like, maybe make a soup out of it?
KathyB says
February 24, 2011 at 2:35 pm@jeri #10, congratulations but don’t imagine it can’t still creep up on you and thwap you upside your head, along with periods long after you thought you were done – intermittently for a few years. Just keeps things interesting.
Endocrinology is the great unknown.
A few years before dancing with Peri, had some episodes of dancing legs when trying to fall asleep. Getting up, using cool washcloth on bottoms of feet followed by lotion – helpful. TMI sorry Have been spared clothes soaking power surges.
dgm says
February 24, 2011 at 2:53 pmYou nailed it, Bossy! Also: insomnia but exhaustion; dry skin but adult acne.
Invest in some magnesium, vitamin B, and evening primrose oil. They are my friends.
Kelly says
February 24, 2011 at 2:55 pmHi Bossy – just turned 40 and have been going through perimenopause for the last 1, if not 2, years. Dumb. Also you forgot INSOMNIA. Helped significantly by 200mg of prometrium at night.
Ruth says
February 24, 2011 at 3:16 pmHmmm I — I mean a FRIEND of mine is 60 years old and still having periodic menses… lucky me – I mean HER! My Dr. had me …uhmm her go and have a transvaginal MRI (I think) and she has the ovaries of a 20 year old. WHoppee I — I mean she told her Dr. it was God’s way of telling her to go ahead and have a child… hehehehe Dr. (A woman Dr.) just glared… hehehe
Thatgrrl says
February 24, 2011 at 3:17 pmMy new and now former gyno gave me a pamphlet titled “Your Changing Body in Mid-Life” that basically said “Hey, are you over 25? HAVE BABIES NOW or you will be a dried up crone who missed out on the only thing that makes women feel worthwhile.” Because 60 is the new 40 except when 35 is the new 55.
Leaf Probably says
February 24, 2011 at 3:17 pmOh good. I’m glad you cleared this up.
(Also: OH GOD! most of these things apply to me! My cycle is weird and I’m in the ‘or younger’ bracket, and once it was heavier, and this time it”s lighter, and my period is a week in duration – I have the perimenopause!! )
(my doctor really loves it when I google stuff to freak out at her about.)
Deb says
February 24, 2011 at 4:15 pmeffing swell.
Monique says
February 24, 2011 at 4:18 pmI actually find that a litre of wine, consumed right before bed, helps not only the night sweats (since I sleep right through them) but also the insomnia and cramping
APeetsMom says
February 24, 2011 at 4:22 pmwell shithowdy…so that’s WHAT THE HELL…all and some of that happening over here…pushing 46…but why am I as horny as ever?! I am so confused!!
The Domestic Goddess says
February 24, 2011 at 4:33 pmsums it up perfectly. And, I am doing the perimenopause thing. OY.
Sherri says
February 24, 2011 at 5:11 pmSigh…….I have ended up with the worst of all the “or” choices and stired up with a big dose of insomnia and anxiety (??? what how when did that become part of the package ???). Luckily the breakouts have subsided….all the better to see the wrinkles 🙂 Sigh again….
Amanda in ATL says
February 24, 2011 at 5:33 pmThat’s exactly why I plan to keep taking the Pill straight through to avoid periods until I am around 60!
La Suzette says
February 24, 2011 at 5:45 pmSigh. Got lucky on the peri, not so much with the regular – and they don’t tell ya just how many years the GD hot flashes can last! Oh the plus side, met a new man so took the pause button off men. But thanks for the informative report, Bossy, exactly what Iexpected to learn from the internet.
foolery says
February 24, 2011 at 6:05 pmSwell. From now on I will put PERI in front of everything. It seems to have a nice built-in 180 degree escape clause.
“Peri-On Time and Peri-On Budget” (unless it’s not, thus PERI)
Franca Bollo says
February 24, 2011 at 6:05 pmYep, your research backs mine up.
Franca Bollo says
February 24, 2011 at 6:08 pmThat damn Trojan got her comment in before me.
(Foolery and I went to rival high schools.)
Bob Cleveland says
February 24, 2011 at 6:39 pmI peri-didn’t read this.
Audrey at Barking Mad says
February 24, 2011 at 6:41 pmI’m not entirely clear on this. Oh wait, I meant I’m only peri-clear on this.
At my last dr’s appointment for all things girly, I mentioned that I’d never had cramps before…ever and after having my tubes tied five years ago after having my youngest, boom! Cramps. Every freaking month.
She looked at me and said, “Honey, that has nothing to do with having had your tubes tied, that has everything to do with being in perimenopause.”
I’m now doing 500+ hours of community service and her face is healing nicely. 😉
kathleenmary says
February 24, 2011 at 7:08 pmIs that you Bob Cleveland? The funnier than funny Bob Cleveland from the way-back-in-the-day of Pioneer Woman? That Bob Cleveland? And, here you are posting on a perimenopause post. So good go see you again. Isn’t this the greatest blog?
Jennifer says
February 24, 2011 at 7:23 pmI think I’ve been under the impression that if you run every single day and eat like a monk, none of this will happen. As it turns out, NO.
Meg at the Members Lounge says
February 24, 2011 at 7:29 pmHa! The reason for jumpy legs – no longer a mystery.
kathy says
February 24, 2011 at 8:08 pm# 10 I do hate you! 😉 I have night sweats all day. Anytime, anywhere- eruption! Fun times. Yam skin? If it works, I am so there! Enlightening as always Bossy!
formerlyfun says
February 24, 2011 at 8:40 pmI am a skin care therapist and want to slap an amen on the evening primrose oil. It’s good for the hormones and helps skin cells retain water(think plump skin not fat ass and rings that wont fit). It is also good for dog eczema, go figure.
Gretchen says
February 24, 2011 at 10:17 pmI don’t believe anything I hear about menopause or peri-menopause. I am almost 56 and there is no sign of either in sight. I am fed up and as much as I wanted puberty to happen to me so I could be grown up, I am even more anxiously awaiting my friend Menopause. I could still have a baby. Can you IMAGINE? Crazy.
Susan says
February 24, 2011 at 10:40 pmI have LOVED every minute of my non-menopausal life.
There is no symptom so unsavory as a week of blood, cramps, mood swings and tampon insertions.
And birth control? Are you kidding!
Give me hot flashes, please!
Angela@beggingtheanswer says
February 24, 2011 at 11:44 pmThis is what I have to look forward to? After all the fun and games of normal monthly periods, I get to go through perimenopause where things might be better or worse or maybe just the same?
No, thanks.
Although I’m totally going to buy stock in evening primrose oil – that stuff sounds like the elixer of life.
rory says
February 25, 2011 at 12:01 amhooboy.
That clears up some issues.
All Adither says
February 25, 2011 at 12:26 amI’ve been researching this, too. It could be…cancer…or lupus…or perimenopause. Ugh.
diana says
February 25, 2011 at 3:13 amAnd is YOUR FRIEND going to have A BABY?
kate says
February 25, 2011 at 7:41 ami thought i was going through this wonderful time (or not) a couple of years ago…was having all kinds of unique never happened before things going on..and what happened?…i got pregnant…at 42…oh man!!!! ( baby is doing well…me?…well my oldest child is 25 and i have a toddler…i am tired)
Katia / Crazy for trying says
February 25, 2011 at 10:07 amclear.as.mud.
krg says
February 25, 2011 at 10:21 amI love how god has arranged these things to coincide with our being of an age to send our beloved sons out of the country. or our daughters to become 13ish. so as to not have too many flinging emotions out there.
Snow says
February 25, 2011 at 11:23 amOh Bossy, how I wish your comment page had “like” buttons!
To all: ” LIKE”
allison in houston says
February 25, 2011 at 11:34 am49 and there in peri-land. Mom was 51 ish whenher body called it done, so maybe I’m close. Who the hell knows? Near zero sex drive, menstrual migraines which I never had until last year, night sweats but no daytime hot flashes, and oh yeah. I cut my very long, bone-straight hair off to chin length a few years ago so I could donate it before it was too gray to be acceptable, and now my hair is curly. That one I don’t mind so much.
heidig says
February 25, 2011 at 11:45 amI’m right there with #10 and #35! I just turned 50 and have spent my entire life wrapped tightly in a sweater, even in 90 degree weather. And my monthly visits from “Flo” may be old and angry but they come every month nonetheless. What the heck!?
Sue says
February 25, 2011 at 1:13 pmCopious amounts of Canadian Mist relieves all symptoms. I’ve been in full blown menopause since I was 38!
yvonne nc says
February 25, 2011 at 1:32 pmHow about 1 week from being “officially” in menopause and
bam! Christmas Eve no less. Neighbors down the street had to cover their children’s ears. And no one mentioned along with insomnia the obsessive thoughts racing in your brain. Oh shit don’t tell me it’s just me.
Summer says
February 25, 2011 at 4:37 pmBacked by my medical degree from the University of Google, I self-diagnosed perimenopause quite some time ago and continue to enjoy its side effects. Can’t wait for the Big M, maybe there will at least be a light at the end of the tunnel then…
kathy says
February 25, 2011 at 5:01 pmMiss Bossy, I was reading some of your former posts and realized I missed the ten word birthday post! I didn’t wish you a happy day. Belated Happy Birthday!! My birthday is Jan. 27th. Aren’t we Aquarians the weirdest? But fun, always fun!
Aimee says
February 25, 2011 at 5:02 pmCrap! I thought Peri was that bottle they gave me to wash with after childbirth. I swear to God if my doctor gives me a book about my changing “middle aged body,” I might get violent or laugh my arse off!
Darcie says
February 25, 2011 at 5:05 pmB, my friends do NOT talk about this!! I’m glad you sort of did.
Cincy says
February 25, 2011 at 8:01 pmHow ’bout 16 months with no period then, on LABOR DAY no less, wild cramping and a regular weeklong period. Then? Nothing. So I got to start counting all over. Whee! I’m queen of the ‘Pausers!
AngAK says
February 25, 2011 at 8:21 pmthese comments are just a hoot! I would like to press the “like” button for all 🙂
Little Miss Sunshine State says
February 25, 2011 at 8:22 pmWORST freaking 10 years of my life! I lived in black pants because who knew what day your period would ever start, slept with the windows open in the winter and the woman who didn’t ever have a cramp felt like she was giving birth every month.
bramble says
February 25, 2011 at 9:22 pmDear Bossy, Thanks for sharing your “friend’s” concerns and observations. 51 here and just had my first 3 month interruption of cycle; I was terrified I might be pregnant! THAN when the lovely visitor returned, it stayed for 9 days and we all know after 3 days visitors MUST go! So… on the fence literally not knowing is we is or is we isn’t and well that is just not good science! I am going to try yam cream as I have had some loverlie changes in weather pattern recently. Holy moses, what is up with the term “hot flash”? More like heat tsunami or flash fire of the nether regions! I am sure it varies for everyone but it sure surprised me!!!
cartoongoddess says
February 25, 2011 at 10:26 pmHell yes. Quite right. All of it.
Fun, eh?
krg says
February 26, 2011 at 7:40 amafter the doctor’s visit where they do the is it really really over test (yes), hubby asked what the doc said. I told him she said he was a whole lot more attractive than he had been in years.
Dara says
February 26, 2011 at 8:01 amI dunno, I’d still take my ovaries and all their issues over a prostrate gland any day!!
corrie says
February 26, 2011 at 7:33 pmnotwithstanding all of the above (about peri & meno) …. the mental consequence of transcending this change can be intense! Very depressing to live with your new self and realizing oneself as ‘old’ in body…
kay says
February 28, 2011 at 1:20 pmSo… Is it worse to just keep having your period until you’re 90?
I’m conflicted, but am pretty sure that won’t be happening. That leg-thing? THAT will be the death of me. At my husband’s hand.
karen says
February 28, 2011 at 3:41 pmYam cream … seriously? The smell alone would make my night sweating, pms ing, severe cramping, heaving bleeding body just want to gag! Arbonne makes a hormone balancing cream called Phyto Prolief that helps. 🙂 Let’s all enjoy the journey.
Pat says
March 3, 2011 at 12:01 amExcellent summary….not that I’d know anything about that!
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