In a 2024 survey,60% of American women said that they learned about menopause on their own. This shows there is a concerning lack of education and resources on this important topic. Many of these women said it was hard to find information about perimenopause (a phase that can greatly affect a woman's quality of life) in particular.
AtCardi Aesthetics & Wellness, located in Cranston, Rhode Island, we take an integrative approach to health and beauty. From bioidentical hormone replacement therapy to advanced skin tightening treatments, our services are designed to help women not only look their best, but also feel their best. Schedule an appointment with us today to see how we can help you on your journey toward better health and well-being.
Give yourself the knowledge you need to navigate this stage of life easily and confidently. Let's explore what perimenopause is, the symptoms to look out for, and effective ways to manage them.
What Is Perimenopause?
It’s important for women to know that perimenopause is a unique stage of life, distinct from menopause, that requires tailored management strategies to alleviate symptoms and maintain overall health. While menopause marks the end of menstrual cycles, perimenopause refers to the years leading up to this point. Typically, women enter perimenopause in their late 30s to early 40s. This phase can last anywhere from a few months to over a decade, with the average duration being about four years.
How Hormones Affect You & Your Skin
When it comes to overall well-being, hormones play a starring role in keeping our bodies and minds in balance, acting as chemical messengers that regulate vital processes. Yet during perimenopause, hormone levels can fluctuate unpredictably, affecting everything from mood and energy to skin health and sleep quality. These shifts can feel overwhelming, but they’re not inevitable. Understanding how these changes impact your body—and what you can do about them—can make all the difference in helping you navigate this transformative time and feel like yourself again.
Perimenopause is often marked by a decline in estrogen levels, but this drop is rarely steady or predictable. Instead, estrogen can fluctuate dramatically, leading to symptoms like irregular periods, bloating, and even heightened anxiety. At the same time, progesterone, which helps balance estrogen and has a calming effect on the body, begins to decrease. This decline can exacerbate issues like insomnia and irritability, as well as increase the risk of estrogen dominance, which contributes to weight gain, mood disorders, and breast tenderness.
Meanwhile, testosterone, often thought of as 'the male hormone,' also plays an essential role in women's health. During perimenopause, testosterone levels gradually decrease, which can lead to reduced muscle tone, diminished libido, and a decrease in skin elasticity.
These hormonal changes don’t just affect how you feel—they also influence how you look. Estrogen, for example, helps keep skin thick and hydrated. It does this by increasing collagen production, which helps prevent aging signs like sagging skin and fine lines.
Balanced hormones help with more than just skin issues. They can also lower the risk of serious health problems like osteoporosis, heart disease, and memory loss. When your hormones are in sync, you’re not just addressing symptoms—you’re investing in long-term well-being.
What Are The Symptoms of Perimenopause?
Perimenopause may be a natural transition, but it comes with a host of symptoms that can feel anything but natural. Perimenopausal symptoms, caused by fluctuating hormone levels, can impact your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. While every woman’s experience is unique, understanding the common signs can help you prepare and seek the right support.
Some of the most common perimenopause symptoms include:
- Hot Flashes & Night Sweats: One of the hallmark perimenopause symptoms, hot flashes involve sudden feelings of heat that can spread through your body, often accompanied by sweating and redness. Night sweats, the nighttime counterpart of hot flashes, can disrupt your sleep and leave you feeling fatigued.
- Sleep Disturbances: Changes in hormone levels can interfere with your ability to get a good night’s sleep, making persistent fatigue a common complaint during perimenopause. Insomnia, frequent waking, and difficulty falling back asleep are common complaints during this stage.
- Mood Swings & Emotional Changes: Fluctuating levels of estrogen and progesterone can lead to mood swings, irritability, and even anxiety or depression. These emotional shifts can feel unpredictable and may affect your relationships and daily life.
- Vaginal Dryness & Changes in Sexual Health: Reduced estrogen levels during perimenopause can lead to vaginal dryness, itching, and discomfort during intimacy. These changes can affect your overall sexual health and confidence.
- Changes in Menstrual Cycle: Irregular periods are one of the earliest signs of perimenopause. Cycles may become shorter, longer, heavier, or lighter before eventually stopping altogether.
- Dry & Dehydrated Skin: Reduced estrogen levels can lead to a decrease in the skin’s natural oils and moisture-retaining capacity. This can result in dryness, flakiness, and a dull complexion.
- Loss of Elasticity & Sagging: Estrogen is crucial for collagen production, which gives the skin its firmness and elasticity. During perimenopause, the decline in collagen leads to sagging skin, particularly around the jawline, cheeks, and neck, with fine lines and wrinkles becoming more pronounced as the skin loses its ability to bounce back.
- Acne & Other Blemishes: Hormonal imbalances, particularly fluctuations in progesterone and testosterone, can stimulate oil production, leading to adult-onset acne, typically along the jawline, chin, or neck. Decreased estrogen levels can also make the skin more prone to sun damage, resulting in uneven pigmentation or age spots.
- Changes in Hair Health & Growth: Hormonal imbalances can cause hair to thin, become brittle, or fall out more easily. Some women may also notice unwanted facial hair growth due to shifts in testosterone levels.
- Weight Gain: Many women experience unexplained weight gain, particularly around the midsection. This happens because of shifts in metabolism and higher insulin resistance.
Recognizing these perimenopausal symptoms is the first step toward finding relief. Whether you’re struggling with getting a good night's sleep or feeling confident in your appearance, addressing the root cause of these menopausal symptoms can help you regain control and restore balance.
How Is Perimenopause Managed?
Managing perimenopause involves treating both the hormonal imbalances and the physical symptoms that can affect your confidence and overall quality of life. At Cardi Aesthetics & Wellness, we offer a comprehensive, integrative approach to help you feel and look your best during this transformative stage of life.
Bioidentical Hormone Therapy (BHRT)
One of the most effective ways to manage perimenopausal symptoms is through bioidentical hormone therapy, commonly known as BHRT. This therapy uses FDA-approved bioidentical hormones to restore balance by mimicking the natural hormones your body produces. These plant-based compounds are chemically identical to human hormones, making them a safer and more effective option than synthetic alternatives.
At Cardi Aesthetics & Wellness, Donna Zaken, NP, uses BHRT to address symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, fatigue, vaginal dryness, and more. Our approach begins with a comprehensive evaluation of your health, symptoms, and hormonal levels. Through lab testing, we identify imbalances and create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your unique needs.
While BHRT addresses the internal causes of perimenopausal symptoms, we also offer cutting-edge aesthetic treatments to improve your skin’s appearance, helping you achieve firmer, more youthful skin while enhancing your overall well-being.
Understanding the Safety of Hormone Therapy
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been a subject of debate and confusion for decades, leaving many women uncertain about its safety. The confusion surrounding HRT largely began with the results of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study published in the early 2000s. This study linked synthetic hormone therapies to an increased risk of breast cancer, heart disease, and stroke.
However, over time, researchers found significant flaws in the study design, including the use of synthetic hormones and the fact that many participants were older women who began treatment long after menopause. This led to an overgeneralization of the findings, creating widespread fear about HRT.
Moreover, the difference between synthetic hormones and bioidentical hormones has often been overlooked in discussions about safety. Synthetic hormones, such as those used in the WHI study, are chemically different from the hormones naturally produced by the body. In contrast, bioidentical hormones are derived from plant sources and are molecularly identical to human hormones, making them a safer and more effective option for many women.
Hormone replacement therapy is safe when administered by a trained, qualified practioner. At Cardi Wellness & Aesthetics, Donna Zaken is extensively trained in Functional Medicine and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Her expertise ensures that BHRT is both safe and effective for her patients.
Exion: Precision Skin Tightening & Contouring
Exion is a cutting-edge treatment that uses radiofrequency (RF) technology to stimulate your skin’s natural collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid production. By targeting the deeper layers of the skin, Exion helps to:
- Tighten loose or sagging skin.
- Improve skin texture and tone.
- Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The result? Smoother, firmer, and more radiant skin—without the need for invasive procedures or downtime.
EMFace: Lifting & Toning Made Easy
EMFace, often called a 'non-surgical facelift,' is another revolutionary treatment that focuses on facial rejuvenation. Using a combination of muscle stimulation and RF energy, EMFace works to:
- Lift and tone facial muscles, creating a natural lifting effect without the need for surgery.
- Enhance collagen and elastin production to boost skin firmness and elasticity.
- Smooth out wrinkles and restore youthful contours to the face.
With no needles, pain, or downtime, EMFace allows you to achieve visible, lasting results while continuing with your busy schedule.
The Importance of Integrative Care
Addressing perimenopause requires more than just treating symptoms in isolation. Hormonal imbalances affect your overall well-being, including your energy, mood, and skin health. That’s why integrating bioidentical hormone therapy with advanced aesthetic treatments like Exion and EMFace is so effective. Together, these therapies provide a whole-body solution that improves both how you feel and how you look.
At Cardi Aesthetics & Wellness, we believe in empowering you to take control of your health and confidence with solutions tailored to your unique needs. From FDA-approved bioidentical hormones to state-of-the-art skin rejuvenation treatments, our comprehensive approach ensures that you’re supported at every step of your journey.
Ready to discover how Exion,EMFace, BHRT, and integrative care can transform your skin and health?Schedule a consultation at Cardi Aesthetics & Wellness today and take the first step toward a more radiant, youthful you.
