[caption id="attachment_70194" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Photo by Kindel Media[/caption] Perimenopause, the transitional phase preceding menopause, is a chapter that many women embark on in their late 30s to early 40s. Commonly associated with a range of symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and irregular periods, perimenopause signals the body's shift towards the eventual cessation of menstruation. This article explores perimenopause, exploring who experiences it, why, and how to get the relief you may want.

What Is Perimenopause?

Perimenopause, often referred to as the menopausal transition, marks the time when a woman's body begins the journey towards menopause. The hormonal fluctuations during this period can lead to various physical and emotional changes.  While menopause signifies the end of a woman's reproductive years, perimenopause typically lasts several years, with symptoms gradually becoming more pronounced over time. The primary difference between perimenopause and menopause is that menopause officially occurs when a woman has gone twelve consecutive months without a menstrual period, meaning women can still get pregnant while experiencing perimenopause.