Pronunciation:
parry MEN oh pawz • (noun)
Also Known As:
pre-menopause, climacteric
Common Misspellings:
perymenopause
Related Resources:
Perimenopause Information
- from About's Women's Health Guide
Definition:
Perimenopause is the period in a woman's life before natural menopause, where
her hormones are "in transition". It is characterized by a gradual decrease
in progesterone and estrogen, but hormone fluctuations are common. This period
can last from 3-10 years before menopause. Some women have many symptoms during
this period, others few. Irregular menstrual cycles are the most common first
sign. Other common symptoms are PMS-like symptoms (bloating, breast tenderness,
etc.), hot flashes and night sweats, insomnia, vaginal dryness, and changes in
the breasts. Anovulatory menstrual cycles are common, and women should watch for
bleeding between periods. For more information, see the links below.
Related Terms
• menstrual cycle
• anovulatory cycle
• menopause
Perimenopause FAQ
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