Understanding the Three Stages of Menopause: Peri Menopause, Menopause, and Post Menopause
Menopause is a natural part of ageing, yet it’s often misunderstood. To understand how it affects your body, it’s helpful to break it down into its three distinct stages: perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause. Each stage brings its own changes and challenges.
Here’s a simple guide to what you need to know about each phase.
Perimenopause: The Transition Period
Perimenopause means “around menopause” and is the transitional stage leading up to menopause. It typically begins in your 40s, but for some, it can start earlier. This phase can last several years. The average age is 42-47 for perimenopause to start.
During perimenopause, your ovaries gradually produce less oestrogen, and hormone levels can fluctuate significantly. Your testosterone and progesterone levels are dropping. These hormonal shifts are often the cause of classic symptoms like:
Irregular periods (shorter, longer, heavier, or lighter than usual). Please note, that you can still have regular periods and be perimenopausal.
Hot flushes and night sweats.
Mood swings or feelings of anxiety.
Sleep disturbances.
Migraines, acne, tender breasts - classic PMS symptoms.
Changes in libido.
Vaginal dryness.
Symptoms can vary widely; some women experience mild changes, while others find them more disruptive. 1 in 4 women do not experience any symptoms. HRT is the first line of support for perimenopausal women, and here in the UK, the NICE guidelines say that women over the age of 40 who present with symptoms should be diagnosed as perimenopausal and offered support.
Menopause: The Final Menstrual Period
Menopause itself is defined as the point in time when you’ve gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. For most women, this occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. The average age for white women is 51 and Black women is 49.
This stage marks the end of your reproductive years. By the time you reach menopause, your ovaries have stopped releasing eggs, and your body produces very low levels of oestrogen and progesterone.
Common symptoms of menopause often overlap with those of perimenopause and may include:
Persistent hot flushes and night sweats.
Fatigue and brain fog.
Joint pain or stiffness.
Dry skin and hair thinning.
Some women feel relief during this stage as their cycles and hormonal fluctuations come to an end, but others may still experience symptoms.
Postmenopause: Life After Menopause
Postmenopause refers to the years after menopause. Once you’ve gone a full year without a period, you are considered postmenopausal and this lasts for the rest of your life. Hormone levels stabilise at a lower level, but some symptoms, such as hot flushes, may persist for a few years before fading.
While some women find postmenopause to be a time of renewed energy, it’s also important to pay attention to long-term health risks associated with lower oestrogen levels, such as:
Increased risk of osteoporosis.
Higher likelihood of heart disease.
Vaginal and urinary changes, including a higher risk of infections.
Regular health check-ups, a balanced diet, weight-bearing exercise, and, if appropriate, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can all help to manage these risks.
Understanding the three stages of menopause – perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause – can empower you to make informed decisions about your health. Each stage comes with its own challenges, but there are many ways to manage symptoms and improve your quality of life.
If you’re unsure about what stage you’re in or how to manage your symptoms, speak to a healthcare professional for personalised advice. Want extra support? I offer a 121 call - find out more here.
