The Difference And Meaning Of Perimenopause and Menopause - Explained!

Are you in your 40s and experiencing symptoms that don’t match your usual-menstrual-cycle traits? Are you tired of the ‘menopause’ nagging from your friends and well-wishers for the umpteenth time? Then don’t fret. Because what you are experiencing may not be menopause at all! In fact, in all likelihood, it could be perimenopause. But, do you know what differentiates the two? Then let’s give you a low-down on the meaning of perimenopause and menopause and how they are different from each other. Here goes:

Meaning Of Perimenopause And Menopause

The terms ‘Perimenopause’ and ‘Menopause’ can be confusing despite being different. So, to get a clear understanding, we need to first know what these terms mean.

Perimenopause

The prefix 'peri' literally means 'around' or 'before'. So, the meaning of perimenopause is, simply put, before menopause. Perimenopause is a transitional phase before a woman might finally reach menopause. During this phase, the amount of hormones produced by the ovaries will begin to decline until it comes to a stop. This may also affect your menstrual cycle¹.

However, the common confusion regarding perimenopause is that it's an indication of immediate menopause, which is not the case. On the contrary, it could take years for menopause to occur after the first perimenopausal symptoms, with the average midpoint being 4 years (For example, if it takes a woman 8 years to reach menopause, then she’ll reach the middle point at 4 years)². 

Menopause

Menopause is a condition wherein a woman's menstrual cycles stop completely for 12 months in a row. This occurs due to the drop in the levels of estrogen hormone. It is a normal part of a woman's aging process and the median age of menopause is (approx) 51 years ³. 

While this condition is not associated with any disease, it can also occur due to other conditions such as surgical removal of ovaries (hysterectomy), chemotherapy, treatment for endometriosis (A condition where a tissue similar to the lining of the uterus is present outside the uterus.⁴), etc³.

Now that you know the meaning of perimenopause and menopause, let’s move on to understand what differentiates them:

Difference Between Perimenopause And Menopause

Perimenopause and menopause are both characterized by different symptoms and physiological (bodily) changes with equally variable outcomes. Here’s what you need to know:

Perimenopause

The first symptoms of perimenopause are often irregular menstrual cycles⁵. This is because of the fluctuating estrogen levels during this phase. You may experience periods that may last either for too long or too short durations as compared to your earlier, regular menstrual cycles⁶.

Other perimenopausal symptoms include⁶:

• Hot flashes
• Sleep problems
• Frequent mood swings
• Fluctuating cholesterol levels
• Vaginal dryness and infections
• Problems conceiving if you're planning a baby

Most of these symptoms are common during this phase and mostly manageable. However, if they interfere with your quality of life, like constant sleep deprivation leading to stress, do reach out to your doctor and seek advice on symptom management⁶. 

Menopause

As mentioned earlier, menopause occurs as part of the normal aging process of a woman, usually beyond 51 years. At this stage, the decline of estrogen levels disrupts the development of the endometrium (lining of the uterus)⁶. Thereby, resulting in irregular menstruation until it completely stops ³.

The symptoms of menopause might seem similar to that of perimenopause, but in reality, they are different and more intense, with absence of menstruation for 12 months being the most obvious of them.

Other symptoms of menopause include ³:

• Palpitations
• Decreased libido
• Bone loss (weakness of bones)
• Vaginal degeneration (dryness, itching, painful intercourse)
• Hot flashes that last for approx 3 - 4 minutes, with night sweats
• Migraines that are more intense and severe
• Mood swings such as anger, anxiety, irritability, depression, low self-esteem, etc.

Menopause is a natural occurrence and often gives rise to various other health risks such as heart diseases, osteoporosis (a condition that causes weakening of bones in women⁷), hormonal imbalances, or mental health issues. Therefore, it is advisable that women who are experiencing menopause be educated regarding such health risks.

Routine health checks, healthy diet monitoring, regular exercises and maintaining a healthy weight are all imperative steps for effective management of menopause and postmenopausal phase.

Summing Up!

Menopause is an inevitable part of a woman’s life, and perimenopause is your body’s way of preparing for this transition. If you’ve been experiencing symptoms that seem perimenopausal, don’t rely solely on hearsay. Instead, consider taking an at-home perimenopause test. These tests measure key hormone levels, including AMH, TSH, and fT4, to help you understand the cause of your symptoms. Additionally, they can assist in predicting the timeline of your final menstrual period, offering the reassurance you need without depending on anecdotal advice.