A woman does not go through menopause right away but will go through two different stages before and after menopause. Women will first go through perimenopause then transition into menopause. Afterward, they will go through postmenopause. Here are the three different stages and what happens during that time:
PERIMENOPAUSE (MENOPAUSE TRANSITION)
Perimenopause usually starts 3-5 years before menopause and its the process when the body starts gradually producing less estrogen and hormones. It usually starts in a woman’s 40s but there is a chance it can start in her 30s as well. Around this time, many women may experience irregular menstrual cycles and symptoms of menopause. But, women can still get pregnant.
MENOPAUSE
Menopause happens when a woman has not experienced a menstrual period for 12 months. Menopause is the stage of a women’s life when they no longer have menstrual periods. Once this happens, the ovaries stop releasing eggs and producing estrogen and progesterone, which are two hormones used for fertility.
Note: Women may experience menopause at different times and may experience different symptoms. Some women can experience menopause in their 30s or even in their 60s. Usually, they will experience menopause around the same age as their moms or sisters.
POSTMENOPAUSE
Postmenopause is the stage after a woman has not bled for an entire year and will continue through the rest of a woman’s life. During postmenopause, some women continue to experience menopausal symptoms and some may experience reduced symptoms of menopause.