The three stages of menopause

Menopause can be divided into three stages – before (Perimenopause), during (Menopause) and after (Postmenopause).

Perimenopause

The 3-5 year period before menopause when your estrogen and hormone levels begin to drop is called perimenopause. During this transition phase, leading up to menopause, the supply of mature eggs in your ovaries diminishes and ovulation becomes irregular. At the same time, the production of estrogen and progesterone decreases.

It is the big drop in estrogen levels that causes most of the symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, sleeplessness and changes in libido. Hot flushes and night sweats can start five or more years before your periods stop at menopause. There is still a chance that you could get pregnant during this time and if you want to avoid this, a form of birth control is recommended until one year after your last period.

The Menopause

Menopause is defined as your final menstrual period, but because periods can be very irregular and can occur even months apart as you approach menopause, you really know that you have had your final menstrual period only if you have not had a period for 12 months. At this point, your ovaries are no longer releasing eggs, and your childbearing years are behind you. Once you are in menopause, you may experience many of the same symptoms you had in the years leading up to it. You may still get hot flashes and have trouble sleeping. You may have vaginal dryness and a lower libido.

Postmenopause

Postmenopause is the time after menopause. You may notice that some of your symptoms of menopause start to subside or aren’t as frequent as when you were going through menopause, or they go away completely. However, some women continue to experience menopausal symptoms for a decade or longer after menopause. Women in postmenopause are at increased risk of developing osteoporosis and heart disease. Medication or healthy lifestyle changes may reduce the risk of these conditions. Once you enter postmenopause, you're in this stage for the rest of your life. Your hormone levels will remain low and you'll no longer have a monthly period. You can’t get pregnant because your ovaries have stopped releasing eggs.

Did you know?

Changes to periods can often be the first sign of the menopause.