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    Perimenopause
    • 08 Dec 2023
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    Perimenopause

    • Updated on 08 Dec 2023
    • 1 Minute to read
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    Article summary

    PERIarrow(1)

    • The perimenopause is the time of fluctuating hormone levels before the diagnosis of menopause is made. It therefore includes the 12 months after the last menstrual period.
    • Oestrogen levels fluctuate and decline, and menstrual cycles tend to become anovulatory resulting in decreased luteal phase progesterone.
    • For some women, it can be when symptoms first begin.
    • The menstrual cycle length may shorten to 2–3 weeks or lengthen to many months. The amount of menstrual blood loss may change, and commonly increases slightly.
    • Once a woman has gone 60 days or longer without menstruation, she has entered the later part of the perimenopause transition and this lasts for a median of about 4 years.
    • Some women experience no change in bleeding pattern and their menstrual periods cease abruptly. 
    Note:

    It can be difficult to distinguish normal from abnormal bleeding during the perimenopause, given this is a time when menstrual cycles are dynamically changing. For more information about when to investigate bleed patterns see assessment section.

    References and Further Information:


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