The Ultimate Perimenopause Glossary
Adaptogens (uh-DAP-toh-jens) noun
Herbs and plants that supposedly help your body adapt to stress and hormone changes. The perimenopause equivalent of bringing in specialized consultants when your internal management team is in chaos.
Adenomyosis (ah-den-oh-my-OH-sis) noun
Think of your uterus becoming a bit like a sponge. It's when the inner lining of your uterus starts growing into the muscle wall, making your uterus angry and swollen. Common during perimenopause, it's like your uterus is having its own identity crisis. Can make your periods feel like they're turned up to 11.
Amenorrhea (ay-men-or-EE-ah) noun
The complete disappearance of your period for months at a time during perimenopause. Like your uterus ghosting you after decades of regular communication. Can be either concerning or a welcome vacation, depending on your perspective.
Androgen (AN-droh-jen) noun
The "traditionally masculine" hormones that everyone has - yes, even us. During perimenopause, these can become more dominant as estrogen drops, leading to some surprising changes like that random chin hair that appeared overnight. Testosterone is the most famous one.
BHRT (bee-aitch-ar-tee) acronym
Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy. The designer version of hormone therapy that's supposed to be exactly like what your body makes naturally. Think of it as getting a custom-tailored dress instead of buying off the rack
Cortisol (KOR-tih-sol) noun
Your body's built-in alarm system hormone. During perimenopause, it can get a bit trigger-happy, like a overenthusiastic security guard, causing extra anxiety and those lovely 3 AM wake-up calls.
DHEA (dee-aitch-ee-ay) noun
Dehydroepiandrosterone - but nobody calls it that. It's your body's hormone factory starter kit. During perimenopause, levels start dropping, affecting everything from energy to libido. Think of it as your hormonal backup generator.
Dysmenorrhea (dis-men-or-EE-ah) noun
Painful periods that can reach new creative heights during perimenopause. When your uterus throws what feels like a tantrum complete with cramping, backaches, and generally making you question why evolution thought this was a good idea.
Dyspareunia (dis-pah-ROO-nee-ah) noun
The medical term for painful sex. During perimenopause, it's often thanks to decreasing estrogen making things dry and uncomfortable down there. Not something to just "put up with" - it's like having a check engine light on in your body.
Estradiol (es-truh-DY-ol) noun
The powerhouse of estrogens - it's the one doing most of the heavy lifting before perimenopause. When it starts declining, that's when the party really starts (and not in a good way). Think of it as your body's project manager starting to retire.
Fibrocystic changes (fye-bro-SIS-tik CHAYN-jes) noun
Those lumpy, tender areas in your breasts that can appear or worsen during perimenopause. Like having internal bubble wrap that's sensitive to touch. Usually harmless but always annoying.
FSH (eff-ess-aitch) acronym
Follicle Stimulating Hormone. The hormone that keeps screaming "make more eggs!" during perimenopause, even when your ovaries are like "we're trying to retire here!" High levels are like your body's version of a perimenopause confirmation test.
GABA (GAH-bah) noun
Your brain's chill-out chemical that helps keep anxiety in check. During perimenopause, GABA can get a bit wobbly, like having your internal zen master take frequent unscheduled breaks.
HPA axis (aitch-pee-ay AK-sis) noun
The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis - your body's stress response command center. During perimenopause, it can get about as reliable as a GPS with low battery, leading to all sorts of fun stress-related symptoms.
HRT (aitch-ar-tee) acronym
Hormone Replacement Therapy. The umbrella term for giving your body the hormones it's starting to skimp on. Like getting a substitute teacher for your hormones when they decide to play hooky. Not your grandmother's hormone therapy anymore.
Hypothalamic (hy-poh-THAL-mik) adjective
Relating to your hypothalamus, the tiny control freak in your brain that runs the hormone show. During perimenopause, it gets as confused as a GPS recalculating in a tunnel, leading to those lovely hot flashes and sleep issues.
Hypothyroidism (hye-po-THYE-royd-izm) noun
When your thyroid gland underfunctions, often mimicking or amplifying perimenopause symptoms. Like having an energy-sapping double agent in your body when you're already dealing with hormone fluctuations.
Inhibin (in-HI-bin) noun
The hormone that plays traffic cop with FSH. During perimenopause, it starts phoning it in at work, leading to FSH going wild like a toddler without supervision. Its decline is one of the first signs your body's heading into perimenopause.
LH (el-aitch) acronym
Luteinizing Hormone. Works with FSH like an overeager party planner during perimenopause, sending way too many "let's make an egg!" invitations even though the party's winding down. High levels can make your ovaries feel like they're doing overtime.
Libido (li-BEE-doh) noun
Your sex drive, which can do anything from disappearing completely to unexpectedly skyrocketing during perimenopause. Like having your desire switch randomly flip between "not if you were the last person on earth" and "let's cancel all our plans for the weekend."
Luteal phase (LOO-tee-ul fayz) noun
The post-ovulation part of your cycle that gets increasingly unpredictable during perimenopause. Like a houseguest who used to stay exactly 14 days but now comes and goes whenever they feel like it.
Melanin (MEL-uh-nin) noun
Your body's built-in sunscreen and color palette— it's the pigment that gives your skin, hair, and eyes their color. The more melanin you have, the deeper your natural tan or ability to tan and not burn.
Melasma (muh-LAZ-muh) noun
A skin condition that looks like a game of connect-the-dots directly on your face, specifically, your upper lip, forehead and cheeks. Like you were the first one to fall asleep at a sleepover and your friends only had a thick muddy brown pen. These patchy brown spots show up when your hormones are out of control—think pregnancy, birth control or HRT.
Melatonin (mel-ah-TOH-nin) noun
Your sleep hormone that starts playing hard to get during perimenopause. It's supposed to be your body's natural nightcap, but during this time it becomes more like a flaky friend who may or may not show up when you need them.
Neurotransmitters (noor-oh-TRANS-mit-ers) noun
Your brain's chemical messenger service. During perimenopause, they're like delivery drivers with a wonky GPS - messages about mood, sleep, and temperature regulation don't always get where they're supposed to go.
Oophorectomy (oh-of-or-EK-toh-mee) noun
Surgical removal of the ovaries. The express lane to menopause, skipping the whole perimenopause highway. Like forcing your ovaries into immediate retirement instead of letting them work part-time for a few years.
Osteopenia (os-tee-oh-PEE-nee-ah) noun
The opening act before osteoporosis. When your bones start losing density during perimenopause, but haven't hit the serious danger zone yet. Think of it as your skeleton's early warning system.
PHI (pee-aitch-eye) acronym
Premature Ovarian Insufficiency - also called POI or POF (Premature Ovarian Failure). When your ovaries decide to retire early, way before the standard perimenopause years. Like having your hormones pull a surprise early retirement on you.
Progesterone (pro-JES-ter-own) noun
The calming counterpart to estrogen that starts slacking off during perimenopause. When it drops, it's like losing your emotional shock absorbers. Responsible for those nights when you find yourself crying at commercials about paper towels.
Prolactin (pro-LAK-tin) noun
The hormone usually in charge of milk production that sometimes gets overexcited during perimenopause. Can cause tender breasts and sometimes even unexpected leakage - like having your body prepare for a pregnancy that definitely isn't happening.
Prostaglandins (pros-tuh-GLAN-dins) noun
Hormone-like substances that can become drama queens during perimenopause, causing those "curl up in a ball" cramps and heavier periods. They're like tiny pain ambassadors that get more influential as your hormones fluctuate.
Serotonin (ser-oh-TOH-nin) noun
Your happiness hormone that can go on an unplanned sabbatical during perimenopause. When levels drop, it's like someone dimmed the lights on your mood. Closely connected to why chocolate suddenly becomes a basic necessity.
SHBG (ess-aitch-bee-jee) acronym
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin. The protein that captures and restrains testosterone in your bloodstream. During perimenopause, it can increase, leading to even lower free testosterone - like putting your libido in hormone jail.
Testosterone (tes-TOS-ter-own) noun
Not just for men! This hormone affects your energy, muscle tone, and sex drive. During perimenopause, it typically declines, leaving you wondering why your get-up-and-go got up and went. Your "inner fire" hormone.
TSH (tee-ess-aitch) acronym
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone. The boss hormone that tells your thyroid what to do. During perimenopause, it can get confused, leading to symptoms that mimic perimenopause itself - like having two difficult conversations happening at once in your body.
Vasomotor symptoms (vay-zo-MOH-tor SIMP-tuhms) noun
The fancy term for hot flashes, night sweats, and their friends. Caused by your temperature regulation system going haywire. Like having an internal thermostat that randomly flips between sauna and freezer settings.
Vulvovaginal atrophy (vul-vo-VAJ-in-al AT-ro-fee) noun
The thinning, drying, and inflammation of the vulva and vaginal tissues due to decreasing estrogen. Like your most sensitive tissues deciding to turn into the Sahara Desert. Absolutely treatable, despite the terrifying name.
Xenoestrogens (zen-oh-ES-tro-jens) noun
Environmental chemicals that act like estrogen in your body. During perimenopause, when your hormone balance is already playing musical chairs, these uninvited guests can make the game even more chaotic.
Xenoestrogens (zen-oh-ES-tro-jens) noun
Environmental chemicals that act like estrogen in your body. During perimenopause, when your hormone balance is already playing musical chairs, these uninvited guests can make the game even more chaotic.