Perimenopause

What is perimenopause?

Perimenopause refers to the transitional stage leading up to menopause, which is the point when a woman's menstrual cycles permanently stop. This phase typically begins for women in their late 40s or early 50s as the ovaries start making less estrogen. Perimenopause lasts up until a woman's last period, which marks the official start of menopause (around age 51 on average).

Some key things to know about perimenopause:

• It can last anywhere from 2-10 years. The duration is different for each woman.


• Common symptoms include hot flashes, trouble sleeping, vaginal dryness, mood changes, and irregular periods. However, keep in mind that not every woman will experience symptoms.


• While fertility declines, some women can still get pregnant during perimenopause. If you don’t want to get pregnant, continue using birth control until menopause is confirmed.


• Hormone levels like estrogen and progesterone rise and fall unevenly, which leads to menstrual cycle changes. Periods may be lighter or heavier, last longer or shorter, or be more or less frequent.


• Once you've gone 12 straight months with no period, menopause has officially begun. At this point fertility ends.

Looking for relief from perimenopausal symptoms? The caring providers at Vital Hormone Clinic specialize in personalized and effective bioidentical hormone replacement therapy plans for women transitioning into menopause. Reach out today to learn more about the many options we offer to help you find hormonal balance and feel your best during this change.

I hope this overview on what perimenopause is has been helpful! Let me know if you have any other questions.