Perimenopause or “Am I Going Crazy?” Understanding Complex Symptoms and Hormone Fluctuations

 Perimenopause or “Am I Going Crazy?” Understanding Complex Symptoms and Hormone Fluctuations

Duncan Turner, MD discusses how perimenopause symptoms can be complex, obscure, and easily confused with other conditions, leading some patients to be prescribed medications like Xanax or antidepressants that may not address the underlying hormonal changes. He explains that perimenopause is marked by unreliable, inconsistent shifts as the ovaries “misfire,” with intermittent ovulation and fluctuating estrogen and progesterone levels that cause symptoms to change over time. Turner emphasizes evaluating the big picture and using lab work to better determine where a patient is in the transition, often starting slowly with small amounts of estrogen and/or progesterone to manage symptoms. He notes this is not a quick fix and typically requires ongoing care and patience over four to ten years as symptoms evolve.

https://www.turnermedicalarts.com

https://www.youtube.com/@thevaginadoctor