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Perimenopause basics: what it is, stages and how long it lasts

Start here: what perimenopause is, how it differs from menopause, its stages and how long it lasts.

Perimenopause is the transition leading up to menopause, when hormone levels shift and periods become less predictable. It often starts in your 40s and can last several years.

Start here for the fundamentals: what perimenopause is, how it differs from menopause, the early and late stages, the first signs to notice, and how long the transition usually lasts. Each article links on to the symptom and treatment guides when you're ready.

Articles in this guide

• Why your perimenopause blood test came back "normal" Perimenopause blood test normal but symptoms aren't? Hormones swing day to day, so one test can miss it. Here's what doctors use and what to ask next.
• What is perimenopause? A calm, clear guide to the basics What is perimenopause? A plain guide to the years before menopause: when it starts, what happens to your hormones, common symptoms and how it's recognized.
• First signs of perimenopause: the early changes to notice The first signs of perimenopause can be subtle: shorter cycles, poor sleep, mood shifts, worse PMS or hot flashes, sometimes while periods are still regular.
• Perimenopause stages: early vs late, and what changes in each The stages of perimenopause, early vs late, explained simply: how your cycle changes in each stage, what tends to happen, and what comes after your last period.
• Perimenopause vs menopause: what's the difference? Perimenopause vs menopause, explained simply: what each word means, the average age, and how symptoms and fertility differ before and after your last period.
• How long does perimenopause last? What the research says How long does perimenopause last? Typically 2 to 8 years, about 4 on average. What affects the length, how long hot flashes persist, and when it ends.

Other guides

Perimenopause basics: what it is, stages and how long it lasts · Brain fog, mood and anxiety in perimenopause · Perimenopause sleep problems and night sweats · Hot flashes, aches and body changes in perimenopause · Irregular periods and cycle changes in perimenopause · Perimenopause treatment: HRT and other options · Perimenopause lifestyle and self-advocacy · Symptom dictionary · Toolkit

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