What is Perimenopause? Strictly speaking, perimenopause begins when the time from one period to the next varies by at least 7 days. It extends through menopause (the last menstrual period) to 1 year after menopause. Perimenopause nearly always happens with natural menopause, not induced menopause (menopause due to surgery or other medical treatments).

What is the Menopause transition? The span of time from when periods begin changing to the date of the final menstrual period.

What is menopause?  Menopause is when your periods permanently stop. If you have your uterus and ovaries you are menopausal when you have gone 12 months in a row without a period. Natural menopause happens because of changes in the ovaries. As you age, the number of eggs in the ovaries decreases. Gradually the ovaries quit making the hormones that prepare your body for pregnancy. The date of your final menstrual period is your date of menopause. If you have both your ovaries removed before your periods have stopped your date of surgery is your date of menopause, and you are postmenopausal.

Learn more on our questions and answers page.