What is the menopause transition?

Menopause is defined as the absence of menses for one year; however, hormone changes occur for years leading up to menopause. The actual time it takes to transition through menopause varies from woman to woman.

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• Irregular menstrual periods
• Hot flashes
• Vaginal dryness
• Urinary tract infections
• Stress incontinence
• Night sweats
• Insomnia
• Headaches
• Heart palpitations
• Forgetfulness
• Mood changes
• Anxiety and irritability
• Diminished concentration

The transition to menopause, sometimes called perimenopause, is usually a gradual process. It involves the fluctuation of hormonal levels and some physical changes before the last menstrual cycle. It spans a period of one to six years or more. For most women, the menopause transition begins in their mid-forties and is completed in the early fifties.

Menopausal transition is also known as perimenopause, when your body produces less estrogen, a sex hormone. The reduction in estrogen brings on perimenopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, fatigue, worsening premenstrual syndrome, vaginal dryness, irregular periods, mood swings, breast tenderness, and difficulty sleeping.

At the end of menopausal transition, when you have not had a period for 12 months, you’ll be in menopause, and your body will produce very little estrogen.