Perimenopause: The Signs, and When Hormone Therapy Helps

Perimenopause is the years leading up to your final period, and it can start earlier than most people expect. The signs are broader than hot flashes. Hormonal transition affects sleep, mood, energy, metabolism and more. Hormone therapy is one option among several, and it starts with labs.

Common signs

Sleep disruption, mood changes, energy drops, hot flashes, night sweats, changes in your cycle, weight gain around the middle, and brain fog. Not everyone gets all of these, and the severity varies. If these sound familiar, labs can help clarify whether hormones are involved.

When to consider hormone therapy

Hormone therapy may help when symptoms are affecting your daily life and labs show a hormonal pattern. We start with baseline labs, review your personal and family history, and prescribe the lowest effective dose. For most people at appropriate doses, it is safe. We monitor with follow-up labs.

What hormone therapy does and does not do

Bioidentical hormone therapy can relieve symptoms and may support bone and metabolic health. It does not reverse aging, and it is not right for everyone. We review your history before starting and adjust based on how you feel and what the labs show.

How it is delivered

Hormones come as pellets, injections or creams. Pellets last 3 to 6 months and avoid weekly dosing. Injections and creams offer more flexibility. We help you choose based on your lifestyle and preference.

When to see your physician first

Severe symptoms, bleeding changes or new concerns should be evaluated by your gynecologist or physician. Hormone therapy is one option among several. We coordinate with your doctor and share results when you ask.