Quick Facts
Perimenopause is the time leading up to full menopause and can last many years- Menopause is the state where a person’s menstrual cycle stops completely
- The experience of Perimenopause and Menopause is unique to every individual
- Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and can be treated through hormone therapy, lifestyle changes (e.g., diet, exercise), alternative medicine (e.g., acupuncture, physical therapy, counselling), and medications
- Transgender individuals who access hormone therapy will experience Menopause differently than cisgender individuals who do not use hormone therapy
- Menopause support and treatment can be obtained via primary health providers, walk-in clinics, and SHORS (Sexual Health, Options, Reproductive Services)
The Longer Story
Perimenopause and Menopause affect all women and some gender diverse people and is marked by a change in a person’s hormonal makeup.
Perimenopause is the time leading up to full Menopause and can last many years. The most notable change in Menopause is the end of a menstrual cycle.
While Perimenopause and Menopause affects a great number of the population, how each person experiences these states can vary. Some people experience more symptoms than others.
Historically, not a lot of attention has been given to Menopause as it fell under the category of “women’s illness” and therefore became part of that culture of silence around women’s health. Women and gender diverse people experiencing symptoms of Menopause often did not receive much support or medical intervention; nor was there much education and awareness of the specifics of Menopause, leading many to feel confused, betrayed by their bodies, and even shame or a feeling of being “less than” a non-menopausal person.
Times are changing, and we are seeing more resources and information available pertaining to Menopause; however, much work is still needed for transgender people and other gender diverse people undergoing Perimenopause and Menopause.
About Perimenopause and Menopause
Perimenopause is the stage leading up to Menopause. It varies for each person - it can start for some in their 30s, while others don’t hit this stage until their early 50s. It can last a few months or several years. During this time, the body is preparing to enter full Menopause, with the ending of the menstrual cycle. Individuals in Perimenopause may experience changes in their menstrual cycle, as well as other symptoms, due to fluctuating hormone levels.
When an individual hasn’t had a period for 12 months, consecutively, they have officially entered Menopause. As with Perimenopause, each person experiences Menopause differently, from when it begins (anywhere from mid-30s to mid-50s is fair game, with the average range being 45–55) to the variety and severity of symptoms experienced.
Menopause can occur naturally, as the body follows its own cycle, or it can be brought on by various medical conditions (such as ovary removal and hysterectomy, as well as some autoimmune conditions).
Symptoms of Perimenopause and Menopause
People undergoing Perimenopause and Menopause can experience a range of symptoms, including some or all of the following:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Joint/muscle pain
- Insomnia/sleep disturbances
- Memory changes
- Mood changes
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Sadness
- Vaginal dryness
- Bladder control issues
- Breast changes
- Weight gain
- Skin changes
- Higher frequency of vaginal infections
- Higher frequency of urinary tract infections
- Decreased sex drive
- Increase in waistline
- Loss of muscle mass/increase in fat tissues
- Thinning of hair/loss of hair
- Loss of bone mineral density
Menopause and Gender Diverse People
While there have been some studies on how transgender and gender diverse people experience Menopause, much more research needs to be done in this area.
Generally speaking, people who begin hormone replacement therapies prior to being menopausal will experience Menopause differently than many cisgender women. This is because gender-affirming hormones are usually taken for the entirety of a person’s life.
Some transgender people and gender diverse people do not undergo medical transition/hormone therapies and, in these cases, they are more likely to experience Menopause symptoms.
Individuals who are transgender or gender diverse and have undertaken any medical transition procedures that can affect hormone levels, or who begin hormone therapy prior to Perimenopause/Menopause, should speak to a health care professional about whether adjustments in hormone therapy need to be made.
Supports for Menopause on PEI
Some people can experience Menopause without pursuing any treatment options. However, there are treatment options available, for those whose symptoms affect quality of life.
Hormone replacement therapy can help stabilize symptoms and reduce discomfort. Evidence shows that hormone replacement therapy can effectively treat hot flashes and night sweats, improve sleep, improve concentration, relieve depression symptoms, prevent bone loss, reduce the risk of osteoporosis, reduce joint pain, and help reduce the risk of heart disease. A health care professional can examine an individual’s current hormone levels and suggest a treatment plan, accordingly.
There are non-hormone treatment options, too, such as medications, including antidepressants.
Additionally, many people undergoing Menopause have found relief with some alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, naturopathic remedies, exercise and dietary changes, physical therapy, and counselling. These remedies often work best in conjunction with medical treatments.
More Information About Menopause
Individuals with a family doctor or nurse practitioner can make an appointment with them to start the conversation. For those who do not have a family doctor, help can be obtained via a walk-in clinic or self-referral to SHORS (Sexual Health, Options, Reproductive Services).
The Patient Navigator program is an additional resource to help decide the best course of action.
Read Perimenopause, Menopause and You [PDF], a resource from the PEI Interministerial Women’s Secretariat with input from Health PEI, Public Health and Family Nutrition, representatives of the Women’s Wellness and Sexual Health Program, PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women, PEERS Alliance, Women’s Network PEI, Laura Abdallah from Picadilly Acupuncture and Apothecary, as well as naturopathic doctors.