Premenopause and perimenopause are similar terms that are sometimes confused. The term “pre” means “before” and the term “peri” means “around” or “near”. Technically, a woman is in premenopause at any time before entering menopause. Some doctors refer to premenopause as the time between a woman’s first and last periods.
For this reason, the term perimenopause can more accurately describe when a woman is near menopause , as it implies a decrease in hormone levels. A transition to menopause.
Stages of menopause
Doctors have identified three stages of menopause: perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause. Each stage is a gradual change that usually takes place over several years.
Perimenopause
Perimenopause occurs 3 to 4 years before a woman’s menopause begins, but it can begin as long as 10 years earlier. During this time, the ovaries begin to reduce the amount of estrogen they make. Eventually, they will stop releasing eggs and the woman will stop having periods. In this phase, the woman will still get pregnant. The usual age of onset of this phase is 40 years. Perimenopause symptoms may become more pronounced as you approach menopause.
Menopause
During menopause, a woman’s ovaries no longer release eggs and estrogen production in the ovaries slows down considerably. Symptoms experienced in perimenopause can continue until menopause. Technically, menopause is defined as the time when a woman has not had a period for 12 months in a row.
Postmenopause
Postmenopause is the stage after menopause. At this juncture, a woman may experience an increase in symptoms associated with reduced estrogen production. However, menopausal symptoms will be reduced.
Duration of phases
Perimenopause can last 3 to 10 years. Technically, premenopause lasts from the time a woman has her first period until her last period arrives and she enters menopause.
If a woman experiences menopause before the age of 45, she has early menopause. If menopause occurs before age 40, it is known as premature menopause.
Symptoms at each stage
During each stage of menopause, there are different symptoms that can be experienced, as well as internal changes in the production of hormones.
Premenopausal symptoms
Although hormone levels naturally fluctuate during premenopause, symptoms related to estrogen loss are unlikely.
In contrast, a premenopausal woman will generally have regular or semi-regular periods, will be fertile, and may experience PMS symptoms. Symptoms of PMS include: mood swings, nausea, anxiety or irritability, depression, bloating, and tender breasts.
Perimenopause symptoms
Decreased hormone levels can cause a number of symptoms. Having an irregular period is often the first noticeable symptom for a perimenopausal woman. Other symptoms of perimenopause include: dry skin, hair loss, hot flashes or a sudden overwhelming feeling of heat, insomnia, night sweats, sudden unexplained mood swings, difficulty concentrating, vaginal dryness, weight gain …
Symptoms of menopause
A woman is in the menopausal phase when she has not had her period for a year. It usually occurs around the age of 51. During menopause, you may experience symptoms similar to those of perimenopause, but they can be more pronounced, as hormone levels will have dropped significantly.
Postmenopausal symptoms
Postmenopause occurs after you have gone through menopause. This phase will last the rest of your life.
