What Exactly Is Perimenopause, and How Long Can I Expect Its Symptoms to Last?
Perimenopause is the natural transition period leading up to Menopause, during which your ovaries gradually slow their production of reproductive hormones, primarily estrogen. This phase is defined by significant hormonal fluctuations, which cause a wide array of symptoms that often begin in your early to mid-40s.
The most common signs are highly varied and include irregular Menstrual cycles (periods becoming unpredictable - shorter, longer, heavier, or lighter), disruptive hot flashes and drenching night sweats, notable mood swings (such as increased anxiety, irritability, or depression), and persistent sleep disturbances (insomnia). Other frequently reported symptoms include vaginal dryness, lower libido, and shifts in weight or body composition. While the average length of perimenopause is approximately four years, it is highly individual and can range dramatically from just a few months up to a decade. Perimenopause officially ends once a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period; at that precise point, the permanent cessation of menstruation, known as menopause, is reached, and symptoms typically begin to stabilize over time.
