Experts bring awareness to symptoms of perimenopause

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - New research reveals that perimenopause, the transition to menopause, can start in your 30s, yet many women suffer in silence due to a lack of awareness and research.

More than 4,000 American women took a survey for these symptoms, and it meets the criteria for being moderate or severe.

The goal is to make sure women get checked early.

“They get told this is normal,” UVA Reproductive Health Expert Jennifer Payne said. “That this is normal for your age but if symptoms are having a significant impact, there are definitely ways to address that, and doctors should be aware.”

More and more women in their 30s are experiencing symptoms of early menopause.

That’s a concern for two reasons.

First, for the discomfort.

“If we can identify that pattern, we can make a plan on how to manage those symptoms from a psychiatric perspective,” Payne said. “For my patients, I often recommend a menstrual cycle-tracking app. simply because a third of women will have worsening mood or anxiety symptoms in the premenstrual phase.”

Second, for a lack of research into why it’s increasingly common.

Adam Cunningham, a FLO Lead Research Scientist, has been studying this closely.

“To push some of these neglected research areas forward, like perimenopause, there’s very, very little research into perimenopausal and menopause,” Cunningham said.

Perimenopause is the transitional period before menopause.

Payne, a reproductive health expert says symptoms include mood swings, anxiety, and sleep disorders.

“I’d like there to be a light shed on perimenopause so that it’s not a great mystery,” Payne said.

Experts say increasing awareness and expanding research could lead to better treatment options.

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