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Written by
Stacy Miller
Understanding the transition from perimenopause to menopause can feel confusing and overwhelming, especially when you’re dealing with ongoing symptoms. Knowing when you’ve entered the last stage of perimenopause will give you better insights into your body and what to expect in the future. We’ve created this article outlining the signs perimenopause is ending to demystify the process, taking the fear out of this life stage so you can move forward with confidence.
The last stage of perimenopause is menopause and is marked by 12 consecutive months without a period. During perimenopause, your sex hormone levels like estrogen and progesterone start to decrease, causing ovulation to become sporadic and eventually stop. As these hormonal fluctuations occur, you can experience numerous symptoms, like night sweats, hot flashes, depression, an irregular menstrual cycle, vaginal dryness, and more.
Perimenopause normally begins after age 45 and lasts between 4 to 10 years. Women experiencing perimenopausal symptoms from ages 40 to 45 are considered to have early perimenopause, while if it happens before 40, the condition is called premature ovarian insufficiency.
It’s common for women to wonder when the transition from late perimenopause to menopause will take place and what the different symptoms will be, but since menopause is simply the third stage of perimenopause, the symptoms from each remain the same.
Since the end of perimenopause is menopause, it can be tricky to determine when you’re in the last stages of perimenopause. The best way to determine when you’re leaving your reproductive years is to monitor your symptoms. Here are the most common signs to look for when asking, “How do I know when perimenopause is ending?”
Due to a decrease in estradiol and progesterone levels, your period becomes irregular and eventually stops during menopause. These hormonal fluctuations can cause abnormal bleeding and spotting. The number one sign that you’ve entered the third stage of perimenopause is not having your period for 12 consecutive months. Once this occurs, you’ve officially entered menopause.
Hot flashes are one of the most common late perimenopause and menopause symptoms and are also caused by fluctuating estrogen levels. Since estrogen plays a key role in body temperature regulation, when these hormone levels drop, you can become more sensitive to changes in temperature, which can cause hot flashes.
Night sweats are another perimenopausal and menopausal symptom that’s similar to hot flashes. The main difference is that they occur at night instead of during the day. Although hormonal fluctuations are one of the main culprits, anxiety and stress can also be a contributing factor.
Wondering, “When does perimenopause end?” is common, especially for women experiencing sleep disruptions. Insomnia and trouble sleeping are other symptoms of perimenopause and menopause and are caused by disturbing symptoms, such as night sweats and hormonal shifts impacting your sleep/ wake cycle. Progesterone and estrogen are important hormones for sleep regulation, and when they decline, you can have trouble falling and staying asleep. These hormonal shifts can also disrupt your body’s melatonin production, which is essential for regulating sleep.
During perimenopause and menopause, women can experience a decrease in sexual desire. Hormone changes can cause lessened blood flow within blood vessels in the vagina, which may lead to dryness and pain during sex.
During late perimenopause and menopause, women are at a higher risk of developing urinary tract infections. As estrogen levels decline, it can weaken the urethra and bladder muscles, making them more susceptible to bacteria. Paired with vaginal dryness, which may create a favorable environment for bacteria growth, you may experience more UTIs during this life transition.
Hormone fluctuations contribute to increased weight gain for many women as they enter the third stage of perimenopause. Declining estrogen causes the metabolism to slow, while hormonal fluctuations and lifestyle changes can impact appetite, causing you to eat more.
As your hormones fluctuate in late perimenopause and menopause, a decrease in your skin’s natural oil production and collagen can cause irritation, itchiness, and sensitivity. Dry skin caused by low estrogen levels can make these symptoms worse.
Depression, anxiety, and increased stress can also occur during all perimenopause stages. However, they are more common for early perimenopause. Hormone changes can lead to mood swings and lowered mood, and many women find that medications and cognitive behavioral therapy are incredibly helpful during this time. Please note that if you experience suicidal thoughts, you should contact your doctor immediately.
One common question among women is, “When is perimenopause over, and how do I know when menopause begins?” The answer isn’t so straightforward. Menopause isn’t a separate event from perimenopause; it’s actually the third stage of the perimenopausal transition. In fact, the word perimenopause means “near menopause.” The symptoms of perimenopause and menopause are the same; the only real way to know when you’ve entered menopause is that you haven’t had a period for 12 consecutive months. In addition, if you are over 50 and have not had a period for more than six months, you are likely in menopause.
Perimenopause and menopause are major life stages and can be overwhelming and confusing. The range of symptoms can be difficult to navigate, which is why we’ve put together these tips to help make them more manageable.
One of the most difficult parts of perimenopause is dealing with the symptoms that can occur. If you’re unaware of why your body is acting a certain way, you may feel scared or confused. Understanding the different symptoms and knowing what triggers them can help you feel less afraid and make dealing with them easier.
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you can speak to your healthcare provider about possible treatments. Some women find that hormone replacement therapy is helpful, with medications helping ease symptoms like mood swings, hot flashes, and more. Cognitive behavioral therapy for mental health concerns is also a great way to feel better mentally and emotionally during menopause and perimenopause, as therapists can give you tools to manage anxiety, stress, and mood swings.
Prioritizing your health during major life transitions can provide the support necessary to manage symptoms. Eating a healthy, nutrient-dense diet and limiting processed foods, caffeine, and alcohol is a great start. Regular exercise is crucial for weight management and bone and mental health. Incorporating stress management techniques like meditation and spending time outdoors can make you feel better mentally and physically. Finally, getting adequate sleep, between 7 to 9 hours a night, will give your body time to rest and recover.
If your perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms interfere with your daily life or become severe, you should speak with your healthcare provider. While symptoms are a normal part of the transition, if you have any concerns, it’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor.
Recognizing the signs of late perimenopause and menopause can take the mystery out of what is happening to your body. Hormona is proud to make understanding your hormones easier with the Hormona app. This award-winning tracker is designed for women, by women, and gives you the tools and insights to understand your body better and feel your best.
There are three stages of perimenopause: early, late, and menopause. One of the best ways to know which stage you’re in is by monitoring your menstrual cycle. During early perimenopause, which lasts 1 to 4 years, your cycles can become shorter or slightly longer and the variation between them exceeds a week. In late perimenopause, which also lasts 1 to 4 years, your cycle length becomes 60+ days, and your periods are completely unpredictable and irregular. Menopause, or the third stage of perimenopause, lasts about one year and is marked by an absence of a period for 12 consecutive months.
Every woman’s body is different, and so is the last period before menopause. You may either experience heavier or lighter periods beforehand, but it’s impossible to know which one is your last before menopause. Interestingly, your last cycle could also be ovulatory, so using contraception is still important.
Whether you lose weight after perimenopause depends on factors like your eating and exercise habits, if you’re taking medications, as well as genetics.
Perimenopause typically begins after age 45 and lasts 4 to 10 years. For many women, perimenopause ends around age 51-52, but it can vary.
Menopause is one of the stages of perimenopause, so you can expect the symptom severity to remain similar throughout.
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Dr Singh is the Medical Director of the Indiana Sleep Center. His research and clinical practice focuses on the myriad of sleep.
What are menopause hormone levels? Menopause is 12 consecutive months without a period. It’s the final stage of perimenopause, which begins around age 46 and can last ten or more years. During perimenopause, your ovaries release eggs less frequently, and
At what age does perimenopause start? Perimenopause is a normal part of a woman’s reproductive cycle, where you transition out of your peak reproductive years into menopause. It is caused by ovarian aging, during which the number of follicles decreases
What age does perimenopause typically start? As women, our menstrual cycle plays a large role in our lives. During our peak reproductive years, our ovaries release an egg every month, which is either fertilized, resulting in pregnancy, or disintegrated in
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