{"id":2309,"date":"2025-06-17T16:55:54","date_gmt":"2025-06-17T16:55:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/beaches-obgyn\/?p=2309"},"modified":"2025-07-07T17:01:36","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T17:01:36","slug":"managing-perimenopause","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/beaches-obgyn\/managing-perimenopause\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Expect During Perimenopause (And How to Feel Better)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Perimenopause \u2014 a popular term that’s lent itself to TikToks, memes, and reels in recent years.\u00a0 But what is<\/em> it, exactly? When does it occur? What are the symptoms? For starters, it’s real. You’re not imagining it. Simply put, if menopause<\/a> is the main event (one year without a period), perimenopause is the chaotic opening act \u2014 complete with irregular cycles, unpredictable moods, and yes, the occasional hot flash.<\/p>\n

The bad news? If you have ovaries, you will go through it. The good news? Where symptoms can often be misunderstood, misattributed, or worse (ignored), here at Beaches OBGYN, we believe that knowledge is power \u2014 especially when your hormones seem to have a mind of their own. So, let\u2019s talk about what perimenopause is, what to expect, and how to manage those symptoms.<\/p>\n

What Is Perimenopause, Anyway?<\/h3>\n

The word perimenopause literally means \u201caround menopause,\u201d and it\u2019s the transitional period of time (pun intended) when hormone production changes \u2014\u00a0 specifically a decline in progesterone and estrogen \u2014 before your menstrual cycles stop completely. The vagueness of the whole “around” phrasing can feel frustrating, and the timeframe has a wide range. Perimenopause usually starts in your mid-40s<\/a>, but it can begin as early as the mid-30s or as late as the mid-50s. This transitional time lasts an average of 4 years (but can run as long as 10!). Note that the average age of menopause is 51, which means the average age of perimenopause is 47 \u2014 but, of course, every woman is different.<\/p>\n

Common Symptoms of Perimenopause<\/h3>\n

Every woman experiences it a little differently, but the easiest telltale sign that you’re in perimenopause is having irregular periods. Read: One month your cycle is on time, the next month it ghosts you, and then suddenly you\u2019re dealing with two in one month. Have you gone 60 days without a period? Trust that you’re in it. Not fun. Here are some additional signs of perimenopause:<\/p>\n