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For many years, women of a certain age were taught to dread menopause, or “the change.” Menopause marks the end of the menstrual cycle and thus the end of one’s childbearing years, and it was treated as a curse or even a punchline. But today, the conversation about menopause has changed and become much more thoughtful—especially with increased attention to the previously neglected transition period called perimenopause.
Perimenopause is defined as the period before menopause, as the body begins preparing for an end to menstruation. People in perimenopause are dealing with a lot of hormonal changes as estrogen levels shift; things may feel totally normal one month and out of control the next. You might ovulate as usual in September and not in October, or your typically light periods suddenly turn heavy.
What are perimenopause symptoms?
Perimenopause symptoms can vary from person to person; you may experience hot flashes so distracting they impact your daily life, while your best friend doesn’t notice a thing.
According to the Mayo Clinic, common perimenopause symptoms include irregular period and menstrual irregularities, which can occur even if your cycle typically happens like clockwork at the same time each month. Your period length may be one of the earliest signs of perimenopause; the Mayo notes that if the length is “consistently different by seven days or more,” you’re likely in early perimenopause. Menstrual irregularities are often one of the first signs of perimenopause.
Other perimenopause symptoms include hot flashes, trouble sleeping, mood swings, changes in sex drive, and vaginal dryness, but again, these symptoms may vary or change throughout the process.`
Early menopause is different from perimenopause; it typically happens before the age of 45.2 Early menopause signs are similar to perimenopause and menopause symptoms, including hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and trouble sleeping.2
How long does perimenopause last?
Perimenopause can last awhile; the average length of the process, from start to finish, is about four years, but some people experience symptoms for up to 10 years.3 Perimenopause and menopause are complete when your periods stop for good.
In general, the average age for menopause onset in the United States is 52.4 Yyou can expect perimenopause to begin in your mid- to late-30s or early 40s.; the average age for menopause in the United States is 52.
When should you ask a doctor about perimenopause?
Being in tune with your body is the best way to track the start of perimenopause. Take note if something changes in your period, including its length or your flow, or if you start having hot flashes or experience a sharp decrease in libido. Even the teeniest, tiniest differences in your normal day-to-day life can be early menopause signs, hinting that a big change may be on the horizon!
It may be helpful to track perimenopause symptoms as soon as you notice something different going on with your menstrual cycle or mood, then going over those symptoms with your healthcare provider so you know what’s normal and what to look out for.
