Menopause and Perimenopause: A Simple Guide Every Woman Should Read
You feel tired all the time. Sleep does not help. Your periods change. You feel anxious for no clear reason. You wake up at 3 am with a fast heartbeat. You see your doctor. They hand you a leaflet about stress. Sound familiar? Many women go through this. For a long time, doctors did not take these signs seriously. But things are changing. Knowing what is happening in your body is the first step to feeling better. What Are Menopause and Perimenopause? What Is Menopause? Menopause is when your periods stop for good. You reach menopause after 12 months in a row with no period . In the UK, most women reach this point at age 51. What Is Perimenopause? Perimenopause is the time before menopause. It can start 8 to 10 years early sometimes in your late 30s or early 40s. During this time, your body makes less oestrogen and progesterone. These are key hormones. When they drop, your body reacts in many ways. This phase does not get talked about enough. But it is the time when most women fi...