Perimenopause

Perimenopause

“Perimenopause refers to the time from when
your menstrual periods start changing, or you start having
menopausal symptoms, to one year after your…”.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 of 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

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…”.9

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”.10

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”.11

Health Care Provider

What if I would like help with perimenopause?

In Perimenopause: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms: When To See A Doctor, dated 18 December 2025, 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”.12

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”.13

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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New or Updated

  1. 29 Perimenopause Symptoms You May Not Know About
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  3. 9 Less Common Perimenopause Symptoms and How To Manage Them
  4. ACOG Explains: Managing Menopause Symptoms [American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists]
  5. A Man’s Guide To Menopause
  6. ADHD and the Gap In Hormone Care for Women
  7. Addressing Menopause Symptoms
  8. Complementary & Alternative Therapies: Non-Hormonal Treatments for Menopause Symptoms
  9. Complementary Medicines and Therapies for Hot Flushes | Information Sheet
  10. Complementary Medicines and Therapies: Options for Menopausal Symptoms | Fact Sheet
    Perimenopause
  11. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit
  12. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2025 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Abnormal Uterine Bleeding—When To See A Clinician
  13. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2025 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Three Symptoms Linked To Cognitive Complaints
  14. Could It Be Perimenopause? How Hormones Influence the Brain
  15. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use
  16. EMAS On-Demand Webinars [European Menopause and Andropause Society] [Multiply Languages]: Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM): Diagnosis and Evidence-Based Management
  17. EMAS On-Demand Webinars [European Menopause and Andropause Society] [Multiply Languages]: Menopause and Mental Health: Managing Anxiety, Depression, and Cognitive Changes
  18. Empowering the Health of Women In Midlife
    Perimenopause
  19. Experts Answer Your Menopause Questions In Video
  20. FDA Direct: Removing Black Box Warnings for HRT (Part 1/2)
  21. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  22. Find A Practitioner [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
  23. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  24. First Symptoms of Menopause
  25. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
  26. HRT Questions Answered
  27. Handling Hot Flushes and Night Sweats| Dr Louise Newson
  28. How Perimenopause Can Really Impact You and Your Partner
  29. How To Manage Adenomyosis In Perimenopause
  30. How To Manage Menopausal Symptoms
  31. How To Talk To Your Doctor About Midlife Brain Fog
  32. How To Track Your Perimenopause Periods
  33. How Vaginal Hormones Can Transform the Health of Women
  34. International Menopause Society (IMS) Recommendations and Key Messages on Women’s Midlife Health and Menopause
  35. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Signs and Symptoms of Menopause [+ Video: Talking Menopause With Your GP] [Other Languages and Formats]
  36. Managing Menopause Symptoms [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
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  40. Menopause Checklist Podcast
  41. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
  42. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – Stages of Menopause: Perimenopause
    Perimenopause
  43. Menopause Symptoms That May Surprise You: What To Watch for During Perimenopause
  44. Menopause and Mental Health
  45. Menopause and Sleep
  46. Menopause – Is It Really A Pause To Health?
  47. Menopause: How To Talk To Your Doctor
  48. Menopause: Identification and Management [NICE Guideline]
  49. Menopause: Identification and Management [NICE Guideline]
  50. Menopause: Multiply Languages
  51. Menopause: Things You Can Do
  52. Menopause: Your Choice of Language
  53. Menstrual Calendar
  54. Midlife Weight Gain
    Perimenopause
  55. Misinformation About Perimenopause on Social Media ‘Putting Women At Risk’
  56. Monitoring Menopause Symptoms
  57. Mood and the Menopause
  58. Mymenoplan.org [My Menoplan, United States]
  59. Navigating Menopause: Honest Answers To All Your Questions [+ Video: What To Expect in Menopause]
  60. Navigating Menopause Care Resource Guide
    Perimenopause
  61. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: CAMS Menopause Hour Webinars – Perimenopause: A Clinical Challenge
  62. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: IMS Partnership Symposia Series – What Is Sleep, What Is Menopause and How Do They Interact?
  63. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: IMS Partnership Symposia Series – What’s Hot? Options for Treatment of Hot Flushes 2025
  64. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2025: Lifestyle Medicine
  65. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2025: The Burn, the Itch, the Pain, the Urge: GSM In Women
  66. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2025: The Perimenopause Journey: An Adaptive Reproductive Phase
  67. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2026: New IMS Recommendations – Midlife Body Changes
  68. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Sponsored Symposia – Weight, Wellness, and Women At Midlife: Rethinking Obesity In the Menopause Transition
  69. Night Sweats
  70. Nonhormone Treatments for Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
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  74. Perimenopause With Dr. Heather Hirsch
  75. Perimenopause Usually Begins In Your 40s. How Do You Know If It Has Started?
  76. Perimenopause and Menopause Checklist: Translated Checklists
  77. Perimenopause and Menopause Symptom Checklist
    Menopause Treatment
  78. Perimenopause and Menopause Toolkit
  79. Perimenopause and Your Fertility: What To Know
  80. Perimenopause or Menopausal Transition
  81. Perimenopause, Menopause and … Weightlifting? Expert Explains Value for Bone Health
  82. Perimenopause, PMS, and PCOS: All About the Period
  83. Resources: Fact Sheets [Multiply Languages]
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  85. Surprising Menopause Symptoms | Dr Louise Newson Live
  86. Tackling Myths and Misinformation In Menopause
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  88. The Missing Pieces of Menopause Science
  89. Top Menopause Questions Answered: Hormones, Bones, Sex & Sleep
  90. Towards A More Accurate Global Picture of Perimenopause
  91. Treatments for Menopause
  92. Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Menopause and Hormone Therapy: Current Perspectives and Controversies
  93. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – A Simple Approach To Menopause: The Menopause Quick Six (www.MQ6.ca)
  94. What Doctor Should You See for Perimenopause Signs
  95. What Is the Difference Between Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause?
  96. When Does Perimenopause Start and How Do You Define the Beginning?
  97. Why Is Bleeding So Heavy?
  98. Why Is FSH Not Needed for Diagnosis of Menopause [Video]
  99. World Menopause Day [18 October 2025]
    Perimenopause
  100. Your Daily Dose: Perimenopause, Don’t Suffer In Silence

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Menopause: What Is Perimenopause?  Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/menopause/#section-what-is-perimenopause Accessed: 08 March 2026
  2. Menopause: Key Facts. 16 October 2024. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/menopause Accessed: 08 March 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: 08 March 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: 08 March 2026
  5. Perimenopause: Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 18 December 2025. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/perimenopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20354666 Accessed: 08 March 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: 08 March 2026
  7. Perimenopause: Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 18 December 2025. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/perimenopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20354666 Accessed: 08 March 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: 08 March 2026
  9. Perimenopause: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms. 18 December 2025. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/perimenopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20354666 Accessed: 08 March 2026
  10. Menopause: Menopausal Symptoms. Jean Hailes https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/menopause/#section-what-is-perimenopause Accessed: 08 March 2026
  11. 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: 08 March 2026
  12. 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: 08 March 2026
  13. Menopause: What Is Perimenopause? When To See Your Doctor. Jean Hailes https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/menopause/#section-what-is-perimenopause Accessed: 08 March 2026
Topic Last Updated: 06 June 2026 | Topic Last Reviewed: 08 March 2026

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