We answer your most Googled questions on perimenopause

Menopause is when your periods stop due to hormonal changes as you get older, usually between the ages of about 45 and 55.¹

You’ve officially reached menopause when you haven’t had a period for 12 months without any other reason (such as pregnancy).

Perimenopause is the first of the three stages of menopause. The ovaries produce less oestrogen and your periods become irregular.

Again, menopause and its three stages (perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause) are different for everyone.

However, hormonal shifts are at their strongest during perimenopause. For most people, this is when symptoms begin and many find this transition the most difficult.

After you’ve reached menopause and enter postmenopause, your oestrogen levels stay consistently low, so some of your symptoms should reduce or stop altogether. However, some people have symptoms for longer.²

Perimenopause is different for everyone. But you might suspect it’s starting if you experience:¹

• Irregular or erratic periods

• Hot flushes

• Vaginal dryness

• Mood changes

• Problems with memory or concentration

• Night sweats and/or trouble sleeping

• Lower sex drive

Perimenopause symptoms can start months or years before your periods actually stop.

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Certain lifestyle changes can help you manage your symptoms better. For example, wear light layers you can easily take off if you struggle with hot flushes.

Regular exercise can help support your bones through the changes they experience. It’s an important way to look after your mental health, too.

Getting a balanced diet will also help your body and mind stay at their best. Include lots of bone-supporting calcium, found in milk, yoghurt, and green leafy veg.³

It’s also a good idea to watch your alcohol intake and avoid smoking where possible – not only for your general health, but this may help ease hot flushes and night sweats.³

You may decide to take hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which can be prescribed by your GP if it’s right for you.

Yes, even if it needs a little help.

Anxiety can happen during perimenopause for lots of different reasons. You might be nervous about this new stage of life, or about the way it’s impacting you.

While everyone’s experience is different, research suggests that anxiety most often peaks during perimenopause.⁴

There are techniques you can try at home if perimenopause is affecting your wellbeing. Practices like yoga and meditation might work for some people.

But, if you’re worried about your mental health or you’ve been feeling consistently low or anxious, you should see your GP.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a talking therapy available on the NHS. Some people find it improves their outlook and helps them better manage their low mood or anxiety during perimenopause.

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Oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone all fluctuate and then decrease. These hormones can:⁵

• Support your skin and bone health

• Help keep you hydrated

• Improve your mood

So having less of them can take a toll on your body and mind for a while.

As you produce less of these hormones, your ovaries slow down and will eventually stop releasing eggs. You’ll have less frequent periods and you may experience some symptoms of perimenopause.

You're also significantly more at risk of conditions like osteoporosis and osteoarthritis once these hormones reduce.⁶^,⁷

Poor sleep is one of the most common symptoms of perimenopause. According to the Sleep Foundation, 39 to 47% of perimenopausal women struggle to get a good night’s rest.⁸

One reason for this is hormone changes. Oestrogen plays a part in metabolising serotonin, which affects our sleep-wake cycle. And lower levels of progesterone may contribute to issues like sleep apnoea.⁸

Other symptoms – like night sweats, anxiety, and needing the toilet more often – can make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep, too.

Yes!

You might have certain symptoms through perimenopause and beyond. Some may come and go or appear suddenly. And some symptoms you might not experience at all.

Some symptoms, like joint pain and vaginal dryness, are more likely to continue into menopause and postmenopause.⁹

Perimenopause is over when menopause begins. You officially reach menopause once you haven’t had a period for 12 months.¹

However, you may still experience some of the symptoms that started in perimenopause.