Can someone explain what Peri-Menopause is?

Perimenopause is the time of change in a woman's life leading up to actual menopause--the normal biological event that marks the end of a woman's reproductive years. It usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, lasts about 4 to 5 years, and is commonly associated with a shift from regular to irregular menstrual cycles prior to stopping completely. Symptoms associated with menopause may occur during this transitional period as hormones begin to fluctuate and may become imbalanced. Although symptoms are common during this phase of life, they are not optimal. You can learn more about perimenopause in our Health Departments: Women's Health: Perimenopause section of the site as well as and what you can do to eliminate or minimize the symptoms commonly associated with this transition into the non-child bearing years.