What is Perimenopause?

Ah, perimenopause. Let’s talk about it.

As Nanette Santoro writes, “THE PERIMENOPAUSE is an ill-defined time period that surrounds the final years of a woman's reproductive life. It begins with the first onset of menstrual irregularity and ends after 1 year of amenorrhea has occurred.”

What most people don’t realize is that perimenopause can last up to ten years before actual menopause sets in. That’s a full decade of shifting hormones—and shifting experiences. You might have just a few symptoms, or a long list of them, including:

• Hot flashes and night sweats

• Insomnia or disrupted sleep

• Hair thinning

• Increased anxiety or mood changes

• Brain fog or trouble concentrating

• Low libido and vaginal dryness

• Bone loss or joint pain

• Abdominal weight gain

• Insulin resistance or other metabolic changes

• Potential thyroid disruption

• Higher risk for cardiovascular disease
  

  These symptoms don’t follow a predictable timeline. They can come and go in waves, mix together, or change completely from one month to the next. And they can be profound, affecting your mental, physical, and emotional well-being.

This is a time when many women feel completely off—like a stranger in their own body. And it’s not just about discomfort. It’s about understanding what’s happening and knowing how to support your body through it.

Kelly Rigo is the creative force behind Menopause Evolution.