If your body has started behaving differently and you're wondering whether it's perimenopause or menopause, you're not alone. Many women experience confusing symptoms without understanding which hormonal phase they're actually in.
Understanding the difference between perimenopause and menopause helps you recognize what's normal, what to expect, and how to support your well-being through each stage.
What Is Perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the transitional phase leading up to menopause. During this time, your ovaries gradually produce less oestrogen, causing hormone levels to fluctuate unpredictably. According to the Stages of Reproductive Ageing Workshop (STRAW), this phase typically begins in your mid-40s and can last anywhere from 4 to 7 years.
Unlike menopause itself, you still have periods during perimenopause. However, they often become irregular in timing, flow, or duration.
Common Perimenopause Symptoms
The fluctuating hormone levels during perimenopause can trigger various symptoms. Research published in OJHAS found that over 80% of women experience at least one symptom during this transition, with vasomotor symptoms lasting an average of 7.4 years. Common signs include:
- Irregular periods (shorter, longer, heavier, or lighter)
- Hot flushes and night sweats
- Sleep disturbances
- Mood changes and increased anxiety
- Vaginal dryness
- Decreased libido
For women struggling with the physical discomfort of perimenopause symptoms, topical support can provide relief. The Period SOS Cream offers targeted botanical support for cramps, bloating, and tiredness during your cycle.
What Is Menopause?
Menopause is a single point in time, not a phase. It's officially confirmed when you've gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period.
During menopause, your ovaries stop releasing eggs and produce significantly less oestrogen and progesterone. Many perimenopause symptoms may continue into early postmenopause, though they typically decrease in intensity over time.
The Key Differences Between Perimenopause and Menopause
While perimenopause and menopause are part of the same biological transition, they represent distinctly different experiences. Understanding these differences helps you identify where you are in your journey and what support your body needs.
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Menstrual Status
The most definitive way to distinguish between these phases is your period. During perimenopause, you still menstruate, though cycles become unpredictable. You might skip months, experience heavier or lighter bleeding, or notice cycles that are shorter or longer than usual. Menopause, by contrast, means your periods have stopped entirely for at least 12 consecutive months. Until you reach that milestone, you're still in perimenopause.
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Hormonal Patterns
The way your hormones behave differs significantly between these phases. Perimenopause is characterised by dramatic hormonal fluctuations. Oestrogen levels can swing from very high to very low within days, which explains why symptoms often feel unpredictable and intense. Once you reach menopause, hormone levels stabilise at consistently low levels. This stability often brings relief from the most volatile symptoms, though low oestrogen presents its own challenges.
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Symptom Experience
Many women find perimenopause more challenging than menopause itself. The hormonal rollercoaster means symptoms can appear suddenly, vary in intensity, and feel impossible to predict. You might have weeks of feeling normal, followed by severe hot flushes or mood changes. After menopause, symptoms often become more consistent and manageable. Hot flushes typically peak in the first two years after your final period before gradually easing.
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Fertility
Pregnancy remains possible throughout perimenopause because you're still ovulating, even if irregularly. Many women have conceived naturally in their mid-40s during this transition. Contraception is recommended until you've reached menopause. After menopause, natural pregnancy is no longer possible as ovulation has ceased permanently.
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Duration
Perimenopause is a transitional phase lasting approximately 4 to 7 years, though some women experience shorter or longer transitions depending on genetics and lifestyle factors. Menopause itself is a single moment in time, defined retrospectively after 12 months without a period. Everything afterwards is postmenopause, which continues for the rest of your life.
At a Glance: Perimenopause
- Still having periods (irregular)
- Fluctuating hormone levels
- Unpredictable, often intense symptoms
- Pregnancy still possible
- Lasts 4 to 7 years on average
At a Glance: Menopause and Beyond
- No period for 12+ months
- Consistently low hormone levels
- More predictable symptoms that gradually ease
- Pregnancy is no longer possible
- Postmenopause is permanent
Supporting Your Body Through the Transition
Whether you're in perimenopause or have reached menopause, your body benefits from targeted support. Lifestyle adjustments, including regular exercise, stress management, and adequate sleep, can make a meaningful difference. Botanical ingredients like wild yam, marshmallow root, and vitex have traditionally been used to support hormonal balance during reproductive transitions.
For women experiencing hot flushes, night sweats, or low energy during menopause, the Menopause SOS Cream from Glow by Hormone University offers a hormone-free, topical supplement formulated with these therapeutic botanicals to support your body naturally.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I know if I'm in perimenopause or menopause?
If you're still having periods (even irregular ones), you're in perimenopause. Menopause is only confirmed after 12 consecutive months without a period. A healthcare provider can also test your FSH and oestrogen levels to help clarify your stage.
2. Can perimenopause symptoms be worse than menopause symptoms?
Yes, many women find perimenopause more challenging because hormone levels fluctuate dramatically. Once you reach menopause and hormones stabilise at lower levels, symptoms often become more predictable and may gradually improve.
3. Can I get pregnant during perimenopause?
Yes, pregnancy is still possible during perimenopause because you're still ovulating, even if irregularly. Contraception should be used until you've reached menopause (12 months without a period).
3. At what age does perimenopause typically start?
Perimenopause usually begins in your mid-40s, though some women notice changes in their late 30s. The transition varies significantly between individuals based on genetics, lifestyle, and overall health.
4. How long do menopause symptoms last?
Vasomotor symptoms like hot flushes typically last 4 to 8 years on average, though some women experience them for longer. Symptoms usually peak in the first two years after your final period and gradually decrease over time.
Research Articles/ Reference Papers:
- Stages of Reproductive Ageing Workshop (STRAW)
- Common Perimenopause Symptoms – OJHAS
