Symptoms Attributed to Perimenopause Often Occur Earlier

Although perimenopausal status is defined based on changes in menstrual cycles in age-appropriate women, research has suggested that symptoms characteristic of perimenopause, including sleep disruption and hot flashes, often start prior to reduction in menstrual frequency, at a time referred to as the late reproductive stage (LRS). Beginning in 2018, an online website (https://womenlivingbetter.org) has encouraged women age 35 to 55 years to complete a survey regarding symptoms.

Among respondents, 945 fulfilled criteria for LRS (≥3 menses in the previous 3 months, but with subtle menstrual changes) and 491 for perimenopause (<3 menses in the previous 3 months). Mean age of LRS and perimenopausal respondents was 46.1 years and 49.8 years, res…