Beth Behrs, 38, says male doctors said she was 'too young' to be in perimenopause. Symptoms, signs, age and everything you need to know

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Actress Beth Behrs says her perimenopause symptoms were initially "dismissed" by doctors. In a new interview with Glamour, the now 38-year-old actress from "The Neighborhood" said it took three years before she learned the challenging symptoms she was experiencing were in fact perimenopause.

"I would go see doctors, get ultrasounds, and was always told, 'You’re fine.' Or, specifically from male doctors, 'You’re too young for perimenopause.' But I knew something wasn’t right," Behrs said. "And now I know that, no, your late 30s is not 'too young.'"

A year after she welcomed her daughter, Emma, Behrs began experiencing what she initially believed to be "fevers."

"It almost felt like I had a sunburn going up my whole body. And it wasn’t sweaty. No sheet sweat, nothing like that. But it was affecting my sleep, and I was getting really bad insomnia, along with really heavy periods and heavy fatigue," she said.

The "Two Broke Girls" star said she began gaining weight, despite not changing her eating habits or exercise routine. At work, the actress said she felt an intense feeling similar to brain fog where her mind would go "blank."

Behrs was introduced to Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, obstetrician-gynecologist who specializes in perimenopause and menopause. She received confirmation that her symptoms were related to perimenopause and received a game plan with the help of a nutritionist on how to eat to balance her blood sugar for her hormones.

"I went back on estrogen. I went back on the pill. My periods became so much less heavy" she said. The fatigue was so much better. I still get hot flashes or brain fog occasionally, but at least I know why. I feel like I’ve finally gotten a little bit of control, even though part of it is letting go of the control."

Most women know about menopause but the lack of conversation surrounding perimenopause causes many people to suffer in silence. What about the stages surrounding this transitional time?

Perimenopause is the phase that comes prior to menopause. During this time, one’s estrogen levels begin to decline significantly. Perimenopause also comes with symptoms similar to menopause, such as hot flashes, mood swings and infertility.

So, what exactly is perimenopause? Read on to learn the signs, symptoms and need-to-know information.

What is perimenopause?

Perimenopause refers to a period of time leading up to menopause. This stage lasts anywhere from one to 10 years.

During this stage, women show symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, insomnia, vaginal dryness and night sweats. One of the main signs of perimenopause is irregular menstrual periods, though many women may also experience regular periods and have other associated symptoms.

Perimenopause is a natural stage of aging that is caused by the decline in the quality and number of one’s eggs. With the decline in eggs, hormone levels fluctuate, and one’s menstrual period becomes more irregular. The perimenopausal stage continues until one’s menstrual cycle stops completely, and the menopausal stage commences.

How is perimenopause different from menopause?

Menopause is the stage that follows perimenopause.

While women may experience irregular menstrual periods during perimenopause, menopause marks the time when one’s menstrual period has ended. The average age for starting menopause in Canada is 51.5 years.

During menopause, the associated symptoms may increase in frequency, with 80 per cent of women experiencing one or more symptoms.

However, once hormone levels lower, the symptoms of menopause typically improve or go away entirely.

At what age does perimenopause start?

Some women show signs of perimenopause as early as their late 30s. For other women, perimenopause can start as late as their early 50s. On average in Canada, perimenopause begins four years before one’s last period, or around age 47.

While every woman is different, some cases of early perimenopause are due to lifestyle choices or medical treatments. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are two medical treatments associated with early menopause.

Additionally, smoking, low body fat and genetic or autoimmune diseases are linked to early menopause. After an oophorectomy procedure in which both ovaries are removed, sudden menopause also begins.

What are the symptoms of perimenopause?

Perimenopause shares many of the same symptoms as menopause. Some of the symptoms of perimenopause include:

• Irregular menstrual cycle

• Hot flashes, flushes or power surges

• Fluctuating estrogen levels

• Night sweats

• Vaginal dryness

• Urinary tract infections

• Mood swings

• Increase in premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms

• Urinary incontinence

• Osteoporosis or bone loss

• Increase in heart rate

• Insomnia

• Changes in skin elasticity

Some women may also experience depression during perimenopause or menopause. Those who experienced postpartum depression are more likely to also experience depression at this time.

The symptoms of perimenopause range from mild to severe, with some women needing medical treatment to navigate their symptoms. These treatments include hormone replacement treatments, antidepressants and medications that target specific symptoms like hot flashes.

Make sure to consult with a healthcare professional prior to starting any new medication, and to learn whether one of these treatments may be right for you.

Lifestyle changes can also mitigate the severity of perimenopausal symptoms. Changes to consider include quitting smoking, managing stress, eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly.

When to call a doctor

More severe symptoms may need a doctor’s attention. Contact your doctor if you are experiencing any of the following:

• Unusually heavy, irregular or prolonged menstrual periods

• Bleeding between menstrual periods

• Bleeding after having no periods for over six months

• Bleeding while on hormones

• Severe insomnia, hot flashes or mood swings that are interfering with your daily life

• Vaginal pain or dryness

• Signs of a urinary tract infection

The bottom line

Perimenopause is a natural stage in a woman’s life, and it should not be feared. While the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause can be uncomfortable, it's not forever.

If you are experiencing symptoms of perimenopause, talk to your doctor to decide if any treatments might be right for you to help you navigate these changes.

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