Menopause Stages, Perimenopause and Postmenopause

A woman's body changes throughout her lifetime and these are due to the changes on the amount of hormones that happens at different stages in life. Menopausal transition or commonly known as perimenopause is the stage when a woman's body is close to menopause. Perimenopause usually begins about 2 to 4 years before the last menstrual period. It usually lasts for about 11 years after a woman's last period. At this stage, a woman’s period may become less regular. Symptoms like hot flash and night sweats may also begin at this stage.

Postmenopause on the other hand follows menopause and lasts the rest of a woman's life. Pregnancy is no longer possible. There may be some symptoms such as vaginal dryness which may continue long after she has passed through menopause and every menopause symptoms.

Menopause is marked by a woman's last menstrual period. She cannot know for sure what is her last period until she has been free from period for 1 full year.