Your body is changing.
But it is not always easy to understand what is happening.
You are sleeping less well.
Your mood seems different.
You suddenly feel hot.
You forget things you used to remember easily.
And you wonder:
“Could this be perimenopause?”
Perimenopause and menopause can come with a range of symptoms. Their nature, intensity and evolution can vary greatly from one person to another.
What is the difference between perimenopause and menopause?
Perimenopause is the transition period leading up to menopause.
During this time, menstrual cycles and certain symptoms can change.
Menopause is reached when a person has not had a period for 12 consecutive months, in the absence of another cause.
Symptoms can begin before menopause and continue after it.
Which symptoms can be associated with this period?
Possible symptoms can include:
- changes in the menstrual cycle;
- hot flashes;
- night sweats;
- sleep difficulties;
- fatigue;
- irritability;
- mood changes;
- difficulty concentrating;
- some forgetfulness;
- a feeling of brain fog;
- vaginal or urinary changes;
- a change in sexual desire.
This list is not exhaustive.
Some people experience several symptoms. Others experience very few.
Symptoms do not always appear separately
A poor night’s sleep can affect your energy the next day.
Night sweats can interrupt your sleep.
Fatigue can then affect your concentration or your mood.
Then, a few days later, it becomes hard to remember what happened first.
That is why observing several symptoms together can give a better overview than considering them separately.
Is it necessarily menopause?
No.
Many symptoms associated with perimenopause can also have other causes.
Stress, sleep, certain medications and various medical conditions can all influence how you feel.
RAPELIA does not try to determine the cause of a symptom and does not provide any diagnosis.
The app instead helps you observe:
- what is changing;
- when it changes;
- how often;
- with what intensity;
- and what was happening around that time.
Why track how your symptoms evolve?
When a symptom appears gradually, it can be hard to assess its evolution from memory.
You might wonder:
“Is this really more frequent than before?”
“How long has this been happening?”
“Did my sleep get worse before my mood did?”
“Did this change start before or after my new treatment?”
Simple tracking can help you keep a clearer timeline of what you are experiencing.
What can be helpful to observe
You could track, among other things:
- the symptoms you experience;
- their frequency;
- their intensity;
- your sleep;
- your energy level;
- your mood;
- your cycle changes;
- your treatments;
- your habits;
- important events or changes in your daily life.
The goal is not to monitor everything.
The goal is to see more clearly the changes that matter to you.
Your experience belongs to you
There is no single experience of perimenopause or menopause.
A symptom that is significant for one person may be absent for another.
Your tracking should adapt to your reality rather than force you to use the same list as everyone else.
With RAPELIA, you can personalize what you want to observe and keep a better overview of how things evolve.
RAPELIA helps you see what is changing
No need to write long notes every day.
No need to try to remember everything.
You observe.
You note it quickly.
Then you can look at your evolution over time.
Less tracking. More understanding.
Frequently asked questions
At what age can perimenopause begin?
The age and duration of the menopausal transition vary from one person to another. If changes concern you, a healthcare professional can help you look into the cause.
Does everyone get hot flashes?
No. The experience of perimenopause and menopause varies considerably. Some people have hot flashes, while others have different symptoms or very few symptoms.
How long can symptoms last?
Their duration varies. Some symptoms can begin during perimenopause and continue after menopause.
When should I see a healthcare professional?
It is appropriate to consult when symptoms concern you, become significant, persist, affect your daily life, or when you want to understand their cause.
Important disclaimer
RAPELIA is intended for tracking and information. It does not diagnose any medical condition and does not replace a consultation with a healthcare professional.