Perimenopause refers to the time leading up to menopause, when a woman's body makes the natural transition toward permanent infertility. The perimenopause phase can begin up to 10 years before a woman's final menstrual period. On average, perimenopause lasts about 4 years. But each woman's experience is different.
Some of the common symptoms associated with perimenopause include:
The ovaries produce lower amounts of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. These fluctuations lead to changes throughout the body.
A woman who has missed periods for 3-6 months and is over age 45 is likely perimenopausal. Doctors may run blood tests to measure hormone levels. But there are no definitive tests.
Lifestyle changes like proper sleep, nutrition, exercise, and stress relief can help balance hormones and ease unpleasant symptoms. If symptoms disrupt sleep or daily life, low-dose birth control pills, skin patches, or vaginal estrogen products may help.