Perimenopause is the hormonal transition leading to menopause. Symptoms include hot flashes, irregular periods, sleep and mood changes, vaginal dryness, and weight change. Fertility can continue until 12 months after the last period. Management combines lifestyle measures, nonhormonal prescriptions, and, when appropriate, individualized hormone therapy; local vaginal estrogen treats genitourinary symptoms. Discuss risks and benefits with your clinician.

What is perimenopause?

Perimenopause (often called pre-menopause) is the transition when a woman's reproductive system gradually shifts toward menopause. It can begin in a woman's 30s or 40s and typically lasts from a few months up to about 10 years. Menopause is defined as 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period.

Common symptoms

Hormonal fluctuations cause a range of symptoms. Not everyone experiences all of them, and severity varies:

  • Hot flashes and night sweats (vasomotor symptoms)
  • Irregular, heavier, or lighter periods
  • Sleep disturbances and insomnia
  • Mood changes, anxiety, or depression
  • Decreased libido
  • Vaginal dryness and painful intercourse
  • Urinary symptoms and recurrent infections
  • Fatigue, headaches, palpitations
  • Joint aches, weight gain, and skin changes
If symptoms are new or severe, rule out other medical conditions with your clinician.

Fertility and contraception

You can still get pregnant during perimenopause. If you do not want to conceive, continue contraception until you have gone 12 months without a period.

Treatment options

  • Lifestyle: Regular aerobic and resistance exercise, a balanced diet, sleep hygiene, smoking cessation, and limiting alcohol and high-sugar/refined carbs can reduce symptoms and protect bone and heart health. Maintaining or improving lean muscle mass helps metabolic health as estrogen declines.
  • Nonhormonal medicines: Certain antidepressants (SSRIs/SNRIs) and other prescription options can reduce hot flashes for some people. Discuss risks and benefits with your clinician.
  • Hormone therapy (HT/HRT): Systemic estrogen (often combined with a progestogen if you have a uterus) is the most effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms. Guidelines emphasize individualized decisions: use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration needed, after discussing personal risks (for example, breast cancer and cardiovascular disease) with your clinician. Local (vaginal) estrogen is effective and low-risk for vaginal dryness and urinary symptoms.
  • Complementary approaches: Mind-body practices (yoga, meditation) and some dietary supplements may help symptoms for some people, but evidence varies. Consult a qualified clinician before starting supplements.

Practical tips

  • Track symptoms and periods to share with your clinician.
  • Prioritize sleep and stress management; even small improvements can ease symptoms.
  • Talk openly about sexual health; local treatments and pelvic floor therapy can help painful intercourse.
  • Review long-term preventive care: bone density, cardiovascular risk, and cancer screenings.
Perimenopause is a normal life stage. With information, lifestyle measures, and appropriate medical care, most people find ways to manage symptoms and preserve quality of life.
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FAQs about Pre Menopause

How long does perimenopause last?
Perimenopause commonly lasts from a few months up to about 10 years, varying widely between individuals.
Can I get pregnant during perimenopause?
Yes. You can become pregnant until you have gone 12 consecutive months without a period (menopause). Use contraception if you want to avoid pregnancy.
Is hormone therapy safe for everyone?
Hormone therapy is the most effective treatment for hot flashes, but it has risks. Decisions are individualized: clinicians typically recommend the lowest effective dose for the shortest needed duration after discussing personal risk factors.
Do lifestyle changes help?
Yes. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, sleep hygiene, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol and refined carbohydrates can reduce symptoms and protect bone and heart health.
What helps vaginal dryness?
Local vaginal estrogen is highly effective and carries lower systemic risks than systemic hormone therapy. Over-the-counter lubricants and moisturizers also help.

News about Pre Menopause

Menopause Accelerates Lung Function Decline - European Medical Journal [Visit Site | Read More]

Postmortem tissue biomarkers of menopausal transition - Molecular Psychiatry - Nature [Visit Site | Read More]

‘Ignoring hot flushes is wrong’: study challenges assumptions about perimenopause symptoms - The Guardian [Visit Site | Read More]

Perimenopause: Symptoms, Causes, Complications, & More - HealthCentral [Visit Site | Read More]

Starting HRT years before menopause could cut health risks, study finds - The Independent [Visit Site | Read More]

After Decades of Misunderstanding, Menopause is Finally Having Its Moment - Yale School of Medicine [Visit Site | Read More]

Existing drug could reduce breast cancer risk in pre-menopausal women - Medical Xpress [Visit Site | Read More]

Menopause Study: Weight Gain, Other Symptoms Not Inevitable - ZOE [Visit Site | Read More]