Patient Factsheet teaser

The Menopause Transition (perimenopause): What is It?

Download a PDF of this document

Updated 2023


what-is-perimenopause.png

What is the menopausal transition?

The menopausal transition (perimenopause) is the period between a female’s reproductive (childbearing) years and menopause. A woman is said to be in menopause if they have had no menstrual periods for 1 year.

Once in menopause, the ovaries essentially stop making hormones and lose their ability to release an egg (ovulate) to achieve pregnancy. The average age for menopause is 51 years.

During the menopausal transition, females often have changing menstrual cycles, vaginal dryness, hot flashes or flushes (a sudden sense of heat and flushing with sweating and sometimes chills), and problems with sleep. Some of these symptoms happen all the time while others come and go. Symptoms range from none to unbearable and can interfere with daily activities and sleep. Perimenopause is different for each female patient but usually lasts about 5 years.

What hormonal changes occur during the menopausal transition?

Many of the symptoms a patient notices during the transition are due to changing hormone levels. These shifts can cause changes in the menstrual cycle and sleep, as well as hot flashes and vaginal dryness.

Hormones work together to promote balance. As hormone levels go up or down, they trigger the ovaries or pituitary gland in the brain to make more or less of other hormones. As a woman gets older, hormonal balances change.

Inhibin

One of the first hormonal changes is a decrease in a hormone called inhibin. The ovary makes inhibin and it tells the pituitary gland to make less follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). As inhibin levels go down, FSH levels go up. The changes in blood levels of these hormones can be found months to years before a patient begins the transition to menopause.

FSH

FSH is made by the pituitary gland. Levels often go up and down during the menopause transition. FSH levels can be very high one day and very low the next day. When FSH levels are high, the ovaries make more estrogen. When FSH levels drop, estrogen levels drop. These changes in FSH and estrogen can happen months to years before menopause.

Progesterone

Progesterone is made by the ovary and increases after ovulation (release of an egg from the ovary). As a female patient ovulates less often, progesterone levels may remain low, causing a missed menstrual period.

AMH

Antimüllerian hormone (AMH), like inhibin, is made by the ovaries. As a woman ages, her AMH levels drop and are not detectable a few years before she enters menopause.

It is important to understand that hormonal changes vary from woman to woman. While high FSH and low AMH and inhibin levels are often seen in the menopause transition, there is no one specific blood test that can predict or diagnose that a patient is in the menopause transition. 

What symptoms am I most likely to experience?

Symptoms vary greatly from person to person. They may occur at different times and with different degrees of severity. The information below is meant only as a guide about what you may experience and does not cover all possible symptoms.

Change in menstrual bleeding patterns

As females age, menstrual periods change. They may be frequent, shorter or longer, and heavier or lighter. It is important to know that ovulation can still occur, and people in perimenopause can sometimes get pregnant. Those who do not wish to get pregnant should continue to use birth control until they have not had a menstrual period for 12 months (menopause).

Changes in menstrual cycle are common and expected during perimenopause. However, worsening bleeding or irregular bleeding (outside of a period) should be discussed with a healthcare provider.

Abnormal bleeding may be the result of other problems with the uterus, such as polyps, fibroids, hyperplasia (overgrowth of the lining of the uterus), or even cancer.
hotflash.png

Hot flashes and vaginal symptoms (for example, dryness, itching, and painful sex)

These symptoms are usually caused by low estrogen levels, and may start months to years before the menopause transition. Although approximately two out of three females will have hot flashes at some point, the timing, severity, and length of these symptoms can vary. Hot flashes can last from months to a few years. For most people, these symptoms gradually get better. Vaginal symptoms can increase over time. Vaginal dryness may be especially noticeable during sex, often causing discomfort. It is important to tell your doctor about bothersome changes so that they can be properly managed.

Mood symptoms/sleep disturbances

During perimenopause, some female patients also have problems with sleeping, forgetfulness, and depression or anxiety. Decrease in sex drive (libido) is also quite common. While many of these symptoms can be a result of dropping estrogen levels, they may also be a sign of other medical conditions. If you experience any of these symptoms, please talk to your doctor to get the proper care.

What treatments are there for symptoms of perimenopause?

Bleeding problems

Before treatment is started, you should have a thorough check-up. If the abnormal bleeding is due to the hormonal changes of perimenopause, treatment can be started with estrogen and/ or progesterone in the form of pills, shots, patches, or intrauterine device (IUD). Your doctor can help you decide which option is best for you.

Hot flashes

Taking estrogen as pills, patches, gels, or sprays is very helpful in relieving hot flashes. People who have a uterus should also take medications that protect against precancerous changes in the lining of the uterus that can come from the long-term use of estrogen alone. For some, herbal medicines or acupuncture may help, but there is not much medical evidence that these work for all. Finally, some medicines (antidepressants and central nervous system medicines) that are typically used for other reasons can also relieve hot flashes. They may also help women who have problems with their sleep or mood. Lifestyle changes, such as avoiding caffeine and alcohol, keeping the environment cool, and wearing lighter clothing, may reduce symptoms. Be sure to talk to your doctor about whether hormone therapy is the right choice for you.

Vaginal symptoms

Women often find relief for vaginal dryness and discomfort by using hormone medication (as a pill, patch, gel, cream, or spray). Vaginal moisturizers or lubricants can also help. Please be sure to talk to your doctor about any vaginal symptoms. These symptoms are some of the easiest to successfully treat and their treatments have the fewest side effects.

Fact Sheets/Booklets

View more fact sheets and booklets written by the ASRM Patient Education Committee.
Patient Factsheet teaser

Menopausal Transition (Perimenopause): What Is It?

The menopausal transition (perimenopause) is the period that links a woman’s reproductive (childbearing) years and menopause.
Patient Factsheet teaser

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis and osteopenia are conditions of having low bone mass (density).
Patient Factsheet teaser

Stress and infertility

It is not clear how exactly stress impacts fertility.
Patient Factsheet teaser

Optimizing Natural Fertility

Before attempting pregnancy, a woman should make sure she is healthy enough for pregnancy by adopting a healthier lifestyle and taking prenatal vitamins. If she has a medical or genetic condition or risk of one, she should seek advice from a medical professional before conceiving (becoming pregnant)

Resources For You

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) is committed to providing patients with the highest quality information about reproductive care.

Menopause

Resources Icon

The Menopausal Transition

Usually sometime in your 40s, you will begin the transition from your reproductive years to menopause. The length of your cycles will start to vary and you’ll begin to skip periods. You may experience hot flashes due to decreased estrogen production by your ovaries and may have difficulty sleeping. Pregnancy is rare but not impossible, so contraception is still needed to avoid pregnancy.

View the patient journey
Patient Ed Icon

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis and osteopenia are conditions of having low bone mass (density). View the Fact Sheet
Videos Icon

Perimenopause

This video will cover perimenopause, also known as menopause transition, including the changes you can expect and the treatments for symptoms that are available. Watch Video
Videos Icon

Menopause

This video will talk about menopause, including the changes you can expect and the treatments for symptoms that are available. Watch Video
Videos Icon

Osteoporosis

Learn about bone density, osteoporosis, and bone health issues that occur with aging. Watch Video
Patient Ed Icon

Age and Fertility (booklet)

Generally, reproductive potential decreases as women get older, and fertility can be expected to end 5 to 10 years before menopause. View the Booklet
Infographic Icon

Menopause Infographics

ASRM has prepared infographics to illustrate the subject of the Menopausal Transition better. View the infographics

Find a Health Professional

Connect with reproductive medicine experts who will guide you through your unique journey. Our search tool allows personalized matches based on location, specialization, and expertise. Take control of your reproductive health with compassionate providers, innovative treatments, and unwavering support.
Search for an Expert
Healthcare professional eager to help a patient