Perimenopause is the transition before menopause, when hormone levels begin to fall and your periods become irregular. According to the NHS, it usually affects women between 45 and 55, but it can happen earlier. It is a natural stage of life, and everyone experiences it differently.
Common symptoms
- changes to your periods: they may come more often or less often
- hot flushes and night sweats
- sleep problems and irritability
- mood changes, memory and concentration problems
- weight gain, typically around the stomach and upper body
- vaginal dryness, burning or irritation, and more urinary tract infections
- palpitations, thinning hair and joint pain
How long does it last?
The NHS says symptoms usually last 7 to 9 years, sometimes longer. Some women find daily life seriously disrupted, while others have very few symptoms.