Signs and symptoms
... Perimenopause causes some subtle — and some not-so-subtle — changes in your body. Some things you might experience include: Menstrual irregularities. The intervals may be longer or shorter...

Causes
... As you age, your body produces less of the reproductive hormones estrogen and progesterone. These hormonal fluctuations are the root of the changes your body goes through during perimenopause.

Risk factors
... Certain factors may predispose you to experiencing perimenopause at an earlier stage in life. These include: Family history. If your mother experienced an early menopause — at age 45 or younger ...

When to seek medical advice
... Some women seek medical attention for their perimenopause symptoms. But others either tolerate the discomfort or simply don''t experience symptoms annoying enough to warrant attention. Because subtle ...

Screening and diagnosis
... Perimenopause is a process — a gradual transition. No one test or sign is enough to determine if you''re in the perimenopause phase. Before making a diagnosis of perimenopause, your doctor will ...