Peri-menopause is a natural stage which occurs in a woman's life during which she transitions from her reproductive life stage to that of menopause. It lasts for a period of approximately five years, and is the time during which the body's physiological system begins the process of change that will effectively result in menopause. Menopause occurs when a woman ceases to ovulate, and there is no longer the ability to become pregnant.



At peri-menopause, estrogen and progesterone both decrease naturally until the onset of menopause when they are maintained at lower levels. Peri-menopause may be marked by various symptoms including changes in frequency and duration of the menstrual period. As ovulation decreases, it becomes infrequent and erratic and can cause menstrual periods that are unusually light or heavy.

Other symptoms of peri-menopause may include night sweats, hot flashes, breast tenderness, depression, fatigue and a lessened ability to become pregnant. However, the experience of peri-menopause is as different as is every woman.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of peri-menopause, it is suggested that you have your hormone levels tested to determine whether an imbalance exists, the specifics of any imbalanced condition, and possible treatment and benefits of hormone replacement.

The ability to maintain a balance of estrogen and progesterone during the peri-menopausal stage when the levels of both hormones are adjusting is beneficial. It can serve to decrease the appearance and the frequency of any problematic or uncomfortable symptoms of the onset of menopause, easing a woman's experience of the transitional period. It may also favorably affect other physiological systems including immunity and digestive systems, maintain or improve sexual desire as well as energy levels and a woman's overall sense of wellbeing.