Perimenopause

Perimenopause

“Women start perimenopause at different ages.
You may notice signs, such as your periods becoming irregular,
sometime in your 40s. But some women notice changes…”.1

Umbrella

What may the Perimenopause Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Climacteric
  • Late Reproductive Stage (LRS)
  • Menopausal Transition/Transitional Phase
  • Menopause Transition/Transitional Phase
  • Perimenopausal/Peri-menopausal Changes
  • Perimenopause/Peri-menopause
  • The Transition To Menopause
  • Time Leading Up To Menopause

Definition

What is perimenopause?

DotS the definition of perimenopause may vary.

In Menopause: Key Facts the World Health Organization’s definition is:

  • “The menopausal transition can be gradual, usually beginning with changes in the menstrual cycle. Perimenopause refers to the period from when these signs are first observed and ends one year after the final menstrual period”.2

On page four in Menopause Terminology: Glossary of Terms [English] the International Menopause Society’s definition is:

“Perimenopause – the time before; around and just after the actual moment of menopause”.3

In Menopause: What Is  Perimenopause? the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) definition is:

“Perimenopause refers to the time from when your menstrual periods start changing, or you start having menopausal symptoms, to one year after your final menstrual period (menopause).

Some people use the word ‘menopause’ to cover the whole transition from perimenopause to postmenopause”.4

Start

When may perimenopause start?

In Perimenopause: Symptoms & Causes – Overview the (United States) Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

“Women start perimenopause at different ages. You may notice signs, such as your periods becoming irregular, sometime in your 40s. But some women notice changes as early as their 30s or as late as their 50s”.5

Duration

How long can perimenopause last?

In Menopause: What Is  Perimenopause? the JH note:

“In Australia, perimenopause usually starts at around the age of 47. On average, it lasts 4 to 6 years, but for some women it could be shorter or longer”.6 

Stop

When does perimenopause stop and menopause officially start?

In Perimenopause: Symptoms & Causes – Overview the Mayo Clinic include:

“Once you’ve gone 12 months in a row without a menstrual period, you’ve reached menopause and perimenopause is over”.7

Sign

What is the most reliable sign you are in perimenopause?

The JH explain:

“The most reliable sign you are in perimenopause (or you are ‘perimenopausal’) is if your menstrual periods have become:

  • Irregular
  • Shorter or longer than usual
  • Lighter or heavier than usual
  • Absent for a few months”.8

In Menopause: How Do You Know If You’ve Reached Menopause? the JH also note:

“You have reached menopause if you haven’t had a menstrual period for 12 months.

It’s a good idea to start tracking your menstrual periods when they start changing, so you know when 12 months have passed since you last had a menstrual period”.9 

Symptoms

What may be some perimenopause symptoms?

In Perimenopause: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms, dated 18 December 2025, the Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

“During perimenopause, you may notice changes in your body. Some changes are subtle and others are more obvious. You might have:

  • Irregular periods…
  • Hot flashes…
  • Sleep problems…
  • Mood changes…
  • Vaginal and bladder problems…
  • Decreasing fertility…
  • Changes in sexual function…
  • Loss of bone…
  • Changing cholesterol problems…”.10

Common or Not

How common are menopausal symptoms?

In Menopause: Menopausal Symptoms the JH note:

“Around 1 in 4 women will have no menopausal symptoms. Around 1 in 4 women will have severe menopausal symptoms, which interrupt daily activities and quality of life. The rest (2 in 4 women) will have menopausal symptoms that range from mild and annoying through to symptoms that are difficult to manage”.11

Hormone Therapy

Can hormone therapy help improve symptoms of menopause?

In Mayo Clinic Q and A: Perimenopause Transitions and Concerns the Mayo Clinic note:

“Although it is often a source of concern, hormone therapy also can help improve symptoms of menopause. Estrogen therapy is still the most effective treatment option for relieving hot flashes. Estrogen also helps prevent bone loss. There are also nonhormonal options. It is important to talk to your healthcare team about the risks and benefits of each treatment, and which one is right for you”.12

Health Care Provider

What if I would like help with perimenopause?

In Perimenopause: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms: When To See A Doctor according to the Mayo Clinic:

“Some women see a healthcare professional for their perimenopausal symptoms. But others either tolerate the changes or don’t have symptoms that bother them. Because symptoms may be hard to notice and can happen slowly, you may not realize they are caused by perimenopause.

If any symptoms of perimenopause bother you, see your healthcare professional”.13

In Menopause: What Is Perimenopause? When To See Your Doctor the JH explain:

“Talk to your doctor if:

  • Feel very tired or fatigued (to rule out loss of iron from heavy periods)
  • Have symptoms that are interfering with your daily activities, including exercise and work, your relationships or your quality of life
  • Have increased premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms during perimenopause
  • You have concerns about your emotional or mental health”.14

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Perimenopause?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Perimenopause?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

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  13. Could It Be Perimenopause? How Hormones Influence the Brain
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  15. EMAS On-Demand Webinars [European Menopause and Andropause Society] [Multiply Languages]: Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM): Diagnosis and Evidence-Based Management
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  19. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Perimenopause: Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 18 December 2025. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/perimenopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20354666 Accessed: 15 July 2026
  2. Menopause: Key Facts. 16 October 2024. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/menopause Accessed: 15 July 2026
  3. Glossary of Terms [English]. October 2022:4. International Menopause Society https://www.imsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/IMS-English-Factsheet-4-glossary.pdf Accessed: 15 July 2026
  4. Menopause: What Is Perimenopause?  Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/menopause/#section-what-is-perimenopause Accessed: 15 July 2026
  5. Perimenopause: Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 18 December 2025. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/perimenopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20354666 Accessed: 15 July 2026
  6. Menopause: What Is Perimenopause?  Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/menopause/#section-what-is-perimenopause Accessed: 15 July 2026
  7. Perimenopause: Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 18 December 2025. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/perimenopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20354666 Accessed: 15 July 2026
  8. Menopause: How Do You Know You Are In perimenopause? Jean Hailes https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/menopause/#section-what-is-perimenopause Accessed: 15 July 2026
  9. Menopause: How Do You Know If You’ve Reached Menopause? Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/menopause/#section-how-do-you-know-if-youve-reached-menopause Accessed: 15 July 2026
  10. Perimenopause: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms. 18 December 2025. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/perimenopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20354666 Accessed: 15 July 2026
  11. Menopause: Menopausal Symptoms. Jean Hailes https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/menopause/#section-what-is-perimenopause Accessed: 15 July 2026
  12. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Perimenopause Transitions and Concerns. 20 July 2023. Mayo Clinic https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-perimenopause-transitions-and-concerns/ Accessed: 15 July 2026
  13. Perimenopause: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms: When To See A Doctor. 18 December 2025. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/perimenopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20354666 Accessed: 15 July 2026
  14. Menopause: What Is Perimenopause? When To See Your Doctor. Jean Hailes https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/menopause/#section-what-is-perimenopause Accessed: 15 July 2026
Topic Last Updated: 29 July 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 15 July 2026

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