Perimenopause, which means “around menopause,” can last anywhere from two to ten years and usually begins sometime in a woman's mid- to late forties, and lasts until a year or so after the last period. Eventually, your ovaries completely stop all egg production and menstruation permanently ceases — that's menopause. Though perimenopause differs for every woman it generally marks a time of less-frequent ovulation and fluctuating levels of hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, and FSH.

Your Very Own Trip

But knowing when and why you stop menstruating doesn't help you prepare to take an active part in managing your health through the perimenopause journey. In fact, it's more like being prepared for a trip to France knowing only your airport names and flight times. Hearing that you fly out of LaGuardia, spend five hours in the air, land at Charles de Gaulle airport, spend ten days in France, and then return to LaGuardia from Charles de Gaulle doesn't do much to help you plan a good trip. And the average statistics of the menopause journey don't tell you much either. Though no one can describe exactly what your experience in perimenopause and menopause will involve, some key bits of information about what others have experienced can help you prepare for the journey.

Orient Yourself for the Journey

The information in this chapter and the next is your perimenopause orientation session. Understanding what's ahead will help you feel more comfortable and relaxed when you experience menopause so that you're better able to pass smoothly through every stop along the way, ready and able to deal with any problems you may encounter.