Hot flashes? Hair falling out? Erratic sleep patterns?
No, you’re not going crazy. You’re likely in perimenopause.
Wait? What’s “perimenopause”?
And what’s the difference between perimenopause and menopause?
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Purchasing via these links gives me a small commission at no cost to you. Please see my privacy policy for more information.
There are actually THREE PHASES of what most people think of as “menopause.”
Menopause is the day when a woman has gone a full year without a period. That’s right– menopause lasts for one single day! The average age of menopause in the United States is 51 years old.
Perimenopause refers to the years before menopause when sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone decline. But this decline isn’t gradual and even. It is the long transition phase where a woman’s hormones fluctuate like waves rolling in and out. It can last anywhere from 5-10 years.
Perimenopause is a highly individualized experience, with some women making a gentle transition and others finding a rocky road through midlife. Perimenopause is sometimes referred to as “the menopausal transition.”
For most women, when you think about what you know about menopause, you’re very likely actually thinking of perimenopause.
Post-menopause are the years following that one-day marker of the end of menstruation– menopause. Post-menopause is the longest phase for most women, given that the average life expectancy for women in the US is 81. That means the average woman will live 30 years post-menopause.
If you knew you had 30 more years to live after menopause, what changes would you make so you could be happy, healthy, and whole?
Perimenopause vs. Menopause: Does it really matter?
If these two words mean different things, why hasn’t anyone ever heard of perimenopause before?
Unfortunately, it’s a reflection of the low level of value placed on women’s health research.
The media gets lazy and uses “menopause” as a catch-all word to describe pretty much anything related to women’s health between the ages of 40-55. And let’s face it: most of these associations are negative.
In an effort to better educate women about their bodies, how they work, and what is and is not normal, you’ll see the word “perimenopause” used in most cases here at Well Balanced Women. I believe that when we take ourselves seriously, we ask other people to treat us seriously, too.
And it’s about time midlife women and their health is taken seriously!
Did you know the difference between perimenopause and menopause?
If you didn’t, that’s okay. Even the most highly educated among us weren’t taught the distinction.
Furthermore, not many of us know how long it’s going to last, what the experience of midlife hormones will look and feel like, and how to assess when our symptoms are not within the expected range.
The reality is, while so many mothers strive to send their adolescent daughters fully informed into puberty, there’s a lack of information for women in perimenopause.
Again, this shows that our society doesn’t value women after childbearing age.
Some of the most common questions about perimenopause include:
- What is the difference between perimenopause and menopause?
- How do I know when I’m in perimenopause?
- Is there anything I can do about my hair loss/weight gain/sluggish energy/feeling of overwhelm?
- What is the best form of exercise for women in perimenopause and menopause?
- Why should I be concerned about my bone health or heart health?
- What foods should I eat or avoid if I’m experiencing unpleasant symptoms of hormone imbalance?
- Do I really need to be concerned about how much I sleep?
- What’s the deal with Hormone Replacement Therapy? How do I know if it’s right for me?
- How can I learn to better advocate for my health?
- Will I always feel this way?
If you’re ready to be better informed about your body so you can start getting clear answers to your health questions, you’re in the right place.
The Well Balanced Women blog is a health education and advocacy platform so you can boldly move in the direction of your dreams. Once you understand what’s happening in your body during perimenopause, you’ll have the confidence to make health decisions that are right for you.
You’ll also know that your post-menopausal years offer a new normal of hormonal balance. The midlife hormone rollercoaster doesn’t last forever!
But it all starts with getting the basics right.
Perimenopause vs. Menopause: Now you know the difference!
Karen Shopoff Rooff is an ACE certified health coach and personal trainer. The Well Balanced Women blog is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please discuss your health issues with a licensed medical practitioner.
