Perimenopause marks the interval in which your body begins its transition into menopause and this can last anywhere from two to eight years, plus the first year after your final period. When perimenopause starts and how long it lasts, varies from woman to woman. You'll probably notice signs, such as menstrual irregularities sometime in your 40s. But some women notice changes as early as their mid-30s.
Menopause is a natural biological process and not an illness. It is a stage in a woman’s reproductive cycle that occurs when ovaries stop producing estrogen, causing the reproductive system to slowly shut down. It’s confirmed when 12 months have passed since a woman's last menstrual period. Menopause usually occurs between the ages of 45-55, with the average age in the United States being around 51. Menopause and menopausal symptoms can also occur when the ovaries are surgically removed.
“Perimenopause is a time of great change – it is the adolescence of older age, but better than adolescence of youth because peri-menopausal women have the confidence and the experience" |
