Perimenopause

Perimenopause is when your body starts transitioning to menopause. During this transition, your ovaries begin producing less hormones, causing your menstrual cycle to become erratic or irregular. In perimenopause, your body is moving toward the end of your reproductive years. It’s a natural and normal progression, but it comes with both physical and emotional symptoms. Some of these symptoms can disrupt your life or make you uncomfortable.

Perimenopause may begin as early as your mid-30s or as late as your mid-50s. Some people are in perimenopause for only a short time, while others are in it for several years. Even though your menstrual cycles are unpredictable and your hormone levels are declining, it’s still possible to get pregnant in perimenopause.

Perimenopause is a transitional time that ends in menopause. Menopause means your periods have ended. When you have no menstrual cycle for 12 months in a row, you have officially reached menopause.

What are the hormonal changes during perimenopause?

The hormonal changes you experience during perimenopause are mostly due to declining estrogen levels. Your ovaries make estrogen, which plays a vital role in maintaining your reproductive system. As estrogen decreases, it throws off the balance with progesterone, another hormone your ovaries produce. It’s common for hormone levels to fluctuate during perimenopause — to go up and down like a rollercoaster.

When you reach menopause, your body makes so little estrogen that your ovaries no longer release eggs (ovulation). At this point, you stop having your period and you lose the ability to get pregnant.

What is the typical age for perimenopause to start?

Perimenopause begins about eight to 10 years before menopause. It usually starts in your mid-40s, but it can start earlier. Completing menopause before age 40 is called premature menopause. Some medical conditions or procedures cause early menopause. If there’s no medical or surgical cause for premature menopause, it’s called primary ovarian insufficiency.

How long does perimenopause last?

The average length of perimenopause is about four years, but it can last up to eight years. Some people may only be in this stage for a few months, while others will be in this transition phase for several years.

How do you know you’re in perimenopause?

It’s important to know that everyone’s body is different, and everyone experiences signs of perimenopause differently.

Generally, the first sign of perimenopause is irregular periods. You may go from having predictable menstrual cycles to spotting randomly or missing periods altogether. A lot of people also experience the most common signs of menopause like hot flashes and vaginal dryness early into the menopause transition.