Perimenopause in 30 Seconds
Perimenopause is the transition leading up to menopause. It commonly begins in the 40s, but it can start earlier, and symptoms can appear while you’re still having periods.
- It can last several years
- Symptoms can change over time
- Menopause is reached after 12 months without a period
In This Article
Common Perimenopause Symptoms
Perimenopause symptoms can affect your periods, sleep, mood, concentration and how you feel physically.
It’s not time to stress. You won’t necessarily experience all of these symptoms, and for some women, the changes are quite mild. If symptoms do start getting in the way of everyday life, there are options that can help.
For more detailed information, see the Australian Government’s information about perimenopause symptoms.
How Perimenopause Is Assessed
Working out whether perimenopause is behind any changes you’ve noticed usually starts with a conversation.
Your GP will want to understand what’s changed, when it started, your periods, your health history and how you’re feeling day to day.
This offers time to talk through symptoms that may feel difficult to explain or seem unrelated.
Your doctor can look at the overall picture and, where needed, check for other health conditions that can cause similar symptoms.
Is There a Test for Perimenopause?
For many women aged 45 or over, your symptoms, changes to your periods and a conversation about what you’ve been experiencing can give your GP the information they need.
Hormone levels can change considerably during perimenopause, so one blood test doesn’t always give a clear answer.
Testing can still be useful in some situations, particularly if symptoms start at a younger age or your doctor wants to check for another possible cause.
What You Might Notice, and What Others Might Notice
Sometimes the pattern becomes clearer when you look past one symptom. You might notice that poor sleep, headaches and changes to your periods have all appeared within a similar timeframe, or that concentrating at work has become harder.
Someone close to you may notice that you’re waking frequently, forgetting things you normally remember or reacting differently to stress.
These observations can provide useful context when discussing symptoms with your doctor.
What Can a GP Do?
You don’t need to arrive at an appointment knowing whether it’s perimenopause or what treatment you want. Start with what you’ve noticed.
With a GP, you can look at your symptoms together, understand whether they fit perimenopause and talk through what would help with the symptoms that are bothering you most.
For some women, that may mean discussing HRT or other treatments; for others, understanding what’s happening and keeping an eye on changes is enough for now.
The goal is understanding as well as reducing any impacts on your quality of life.
Learn more about Women’s Health at HSMC
A quick explanation of what’s happening during perimenopause and menopause. This 5-minute ABC News video explains the changes and some of the ways symptoms can be managed.
Embed Video: ABC News, “What exactly is menopause – here’s how to best prepare and manage symptoms”
Getting a Clearer Answer
Changes to your periods, sleep, concentration or mood can give you a reason to wonder about perimenopause, but you don’t need to have the answer before seeing a doctor.
If you’re noticing a pattern, write down what’s changed and bring it to your appointment. It gives you and your GP a useful starting point to understand what’s happening and what can be done to reduce the impact on your quality of life.
Perimenopause FAQs
It commonly begins in the 40s, although it can begin earlier. Menopause itself usually occurs between 45 and 55 years of age.
Yes. Perimenopause begins before menopause, and symptoms can develop while periods are still occurring. Changes to the menstrual cycle often develop as the transition progresses.
Anxiety and mood changes can occur during perimenopause. However, if anxiety is new, getting worse or affecting everyday life, it’s important to discuss it with your doctor rather than assuming hormones are the cause.
Difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness and trouble finding words are commonly reported during perimenopause. Sleep disruption can also affect concentration and memory.
There isn’t one blood test that reliably confirms perimenopause for everyone. Hormone levels can fluctuate considerably during this stage, so assessment is often based on age, symptoms and menstrual history. Testing may be appropriate in particular circumstances.
