Is It Still Perimenopause Without Hot Flashes?
Recently, I was talking with integrative gynecologist, Dr. LaKeischa MD, on her Hormone Hotties Podcast about metabolic syndrome. This is important to discuss as many women think the main symptoms of perimenopause are hot flashes or night sweats. In fact, I’ve seen some doctors refuse to prescribe any hormones to a woman in perimenopause if she didn’t have hot flashes. This is absurd as there are some 100+ signs and symptoms associated with your hormonal transition, some of which you may NOT feel! This includes metabolic syndrome.
What is metabolic syndrome?
It’s a collection of conditions that include:
High blood pressure
High glucose (blood sugar)
Increased abdominal visceral fat
High cholesterol (and/or high triglycerides)
Unfortunately, the risk for developing these increases greatly as we move into menopause. One year your cholesterol and glucose are normal, the next year they jumped up several concerning points! You may not even know it or feel it until you get fasting lab work done. Declining hormones are a big factor!
Other interesting (annoying) perimenopausal/menopausal symptoms include:
Trouble falling or staying asleep
Itchy ears or more ear wax
Phantom smells
Dry mouth, dry itchy skin, dry joints (joint pain), dry vagina
Heart palpitations or heart racing
Change in body odor
Cold chills (as opposed to hot flashes)
Lightheadedness or dizziness
Changes in your digestive tract - gas, bloating, constipation, heartburn
The other crazy part about these symptoms is that they may come and go.
You could experience months of phantom smells or cold chills only for them to stop and new symptoms replace them. This is why finding a healthcare practitioner who understands your body in this transition is important!
It’s definitely not all doom and gloom! In fact over my many years as a doctor, I’ve had SEVERAL women come into menopause and tell me that it’s a beautiful time in their life. They love all the changes they have made, the places they are going, the things they are doing, and the mindset they have developed. I’m hoping educational resources like my articles, website, and social media help you feel more prepared along the way!