Am I in Perimenopause?

Perimenopause can be tricky to diagnose as there is no standard test for it. It can be especially difficult for women who have had a hysterectomy as they cannot track changes in their period or menstrual cycle.

 

Many women find using a menopause symptom questionnaire can help them track symptoms and monitor progress and responses to treatment over time. To find out if you may be experiencing perimenopausal symptoms download the perimenopause quiz below.

 

During perimenopause there are many hormonal changes that occur such as fluctuating estrogen, and declining progesterone and testosterone. You also have a slow increase in follicle stimulating hormone. These hormones act on every organ system in the body including the skin and hair, heart, brain, bones, muscles and joints. Often the first changes of perimenopause may not impact periods but these other body systems.

 

Using the Menopause Quiz

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The menopause quiz is based on a study of perimenopausal women. The symptoms listed are from Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS). It examines 3 clusters of symptoms experienced in the perimenopause and includes:

• psychological symptoms of perimenopause

• physical symptoms of perimenopause and

• vasomotor symptoms of perimenopause.

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You can also use this menopause symptom checker to assess your menopause symptoms if you are experiencing:

• natural menopause

• surgical menopause due to removal of your ovaries

• medical menopause, for example due to medications for breast cancer treatment.

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Once you have completed the perimenopause questionnaire, it can be shown to your GP or Menopause specialist so they can see the breadth and severity of your symptoms.

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In your assessment, it will help determine whether and where you are in the menopause transition, based on your responses. It will also enable your health provider to provide information on your symptoms and a range of options tailored to you to support you as your transition through menopause.

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Perimenopause Symptoms

 

Perimenopause symptom can vary in type and severity for every woman. Most women experience some symptoms during perimenopause.

 

Common symptoms include:

• mood swings,

• hot flushes (hot flashes) or night sweats

• palpitations

• sleep disturbances

• brain fog or difficulty concentrating, planning and organizing

• irregular periods,

• vaginal dryness

• dry skin

• anxiety

• weight gain

• menstrual headaches

• thinning of the hair

• low libido.

 

If you experience any of these, it is worth completing the menopause quiz to quantify your symptoms, take a closer look at your health and speak with your doctor about perimenopause.

 

Get support for perimenopause & menopause

 

Using the questionnaire your doctor may organize tests to exclude other health conditions that mimic perimenopause and to review your long term health risks associated with menopause such as heart disease, osteoporosis, muscle wasting (sarcopenia) and diabetes

 

With the right support and lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet incorporating exercise into your life and managing stress, you can create health habits for life.

 

Menopause should be a positive and healthy transitional stage in life. So don’t delay – take this quiz today to find out if you may be experiencing the early signs of menopause!

 

Good luck!

 

While our questionnaire is an amazing tool, it is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Speak to your GP/healthcare provider or book an appointment with Dr Deb Brunt in our menopause clinic if you have any concerns, questions or queries about any of your answers.

 

References

Greene JG. A factor analytic study of climacteric symptoms. J Psychosom Res. 1976;20(5):425-30.