Perimenopause vs Menopause.

Perimenopause vs. Menopause: What's the Difference?

Many women are surprised to learn that menopause isn't something that happens overnight. In fact, the transition often begins years before your final menstrual period.

Perimenopause is the transition leading up to menopause. During this time, estrogen and progesterone begin to fluctuate, which can lead to irregular periods, hot flashes, sleep disturbances, mood changes, and changes in body composition. This stage can begin in your 40s—and for some women, even their late 30s—and often lasts several years.

Menopause is officially diagnosed after you've gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. After that, you're considered postmenopausal, and hormone levels remain consistently lower than they were during your reproductive years.

While these hormonal changes are a normal part of aging, they don't mean your health has to decline. Understanding what's happening allows you to make informed decisions about nutrition, strength training, sleep, stress management, and—when appropriate—medical therapies that can help you continue feeling strong and healthy for decades to come.