Women start perimenopause at different ages. You may notice signs of progression toward menopause, such as menstrual irregularity, sometime in your 40s. But some women notice changes as early as their mid-30s.
In short, probably not. An irregular period is simply a part of the process of getting older. As you progress through your 40s it is likely you'll begin the natural transition into menopause.
Menopause is the time that marks the end of your menstrual cycles. It's diagnosed after you've gone 12 months without a menstrual period. Menopause can happen in your 40s or 50s, but the average age is 51 in the United States. Menopause is a natural biological process.
Many common perimenopause symptoms are similar to menopause signs. For example, hot flashes may occur — when your body feels very hot for brief periods of time, and night sweats. Some people experience mood changes, anxiety, problems sleeping, vaginal dryness, and less interest in sex.
A woman is said to be postmenopausal when she has not had a period for 12 months. Perimenopause and menopause are a natural part of a woman's life course and usually occur between the ages 45 and 55 years of age, as a woman's oestrogen levels drop (although it can start earlier).
Menstrual irregularities, such as missed or late periods, occur in 14–25% of women of childbearing age. They can result from a range of conditions besides pregnancy, including hormonal imbalances, hormonal birth control, stress, weight loss, trauma, and certain health conditions.
Those who are under a lot of stress may no longer have periods. This is because stress affects how well the hypothalamus functions. The hypothalamus is part of the brain that regulates hormones which triggers the menstrual cycle. Women who have undergone intense athletic training may have interrupted menstrual cycles.
Perimenopause can begin in some women in their 30s, but most often it starts in women ages 40 to 44. It is marked by changes in menstrual flow and in the length of the cycle. There may be sudden surges in estrogen.
Common physical symptoms of menopause and perimenopause include: hot flushes, when you have sudden feelings of hot or cold in your face, neck and chest which can make you dizzy. difficulty sleeping, which may be a result of night sweats and make you feel tired and irritable during the day.
During this transition, your ovaries begin producing less hormones, causing your menstrual cycle to become erratic or irregular. At this time, your body is moving toward the end of your reproductive years. Perimenopause may begin as early as your mid-30s or as late as your mid-50s.
With higher FSH levels, ovulation is triggered earlier and a woman's menstrual cycle can shorten. It is not unusual for her menstrual cycle to condense to 21 days during the late 40s. Skipped cycles are not uncommon as women stop ovulating.
In your 40s -- and maybe even in your late 30s -- yo-yoing estrogen and progesterone can make periods unpredictable. They could come more frequently. Or they might happen less often. The flow might be very heavy or -- preferably -- very light.
If you're not pregnant, then weight changes, hormonal irregularities, and menopause are among the most common causes of a missed period. With these issues, you may miss a period for one or two months, or you may experience complete amenorrhea—meaning no period for three or more months in a row.
According to the National Women's Health Network, skipping a period is just as safe as having a regular menstrual cycle. In fact, people can safely skip periods for several months in a row. Still, it is best to check with a doctor before skipping a period.
While perimenopause precedes menopause, there is still a menstrual cycle during this time. The menstrual cycle might become more irregular, but as long as a woman is still actively menstruating, there is still a chance of becoming pregnant.
As they get older, women may notice that staying at their usual weight becomes harder. It's common for weight gain to start a few years before menopause, during the time known as perimenopause. Weight gain often continues at about the rate of 1.5 pounds each year as a woman goes through her 50s.
How do I know if I'm in menopause? You'll know you've reached menopause when you've gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period.
Symptoms of early menopause
hot flushes. night sweats. vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex. difficulty sleeping.
New research suggests that motherhood — specifically, having a least one pregnancy and breastfeeding — is associated with a lower risk for reaching menopause before age 45.
The menstrual cycle does not directly impact weight loss or gain, but there may be some secondary connections. On the list of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms are changes in appetite and food cravings, and that can affect weight.
Stress causes your body to go into fight or flight mode—it's just the way we're wired. When you're in this mode, it affects your hormones, which in turn affect your ovulation and, of course, your period. This means you may have periods that are late or even stop completely for several months.
Although some people might have periods that arrive with pinpoint predictability, most have a little variation. So, if your period is a day or two late, don't panic. “Your menstrual cycle is the length of time from day one of your period to day one of your next period,” Dr. Higgins says.