{"id":42938,"date":"2025-04-08T08:04:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-08T08:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/?p=42938"},"modified":"2025-04-04T20:10:54","modified_gmt":"2025-04-04T20:10:54","slug":"what-is-perimenopause","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/what-is-perimenopause\/","title":{"rendered":"Perimenopause Explained: The Best Supplements and How to Ease Symptoms"},"content":{"rendered":"

Perimenopause can be a frustrating and confusing phase of a woman’s transitional health. One day, you’re cruising through life as usual, and the next, you’re sweating through your sheets at 3 AM, snapping at your loved ones for no reason, and wondering why your period<\/a> is suddenly playing hide-and-seek. The transition into menopause<\/a> can feel like an unpredictable rollercoaster, but you’re not alone! Understanding what’s happening in your body can help you manage your symptoms and stay in control. Let’s break it down so you can navigate this phase with confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n

What is Perimenopause?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Perimenopause is the transitional phase before menopause<\/a> when your body gradually reduces its production of estrogen and progesterone, the key hormones that regulate your menstrual cycle. Menstrual health practitioner Michelle Agudelo<\/a> states that while it can vary from person to person, perimenopause typically occurs for women in their late 30s to early or mid-40s, lasting for four to eight years on average. During perimenopause, your periods may become irregular<\/a>\u2014sometimes heavier, sometimes lighter, or even skipping months altogether. While menopause officially begins when you’ve gone 12 consecutive months without a period, perimenopause can last for several years, bringing a variety of symptoms like mood swings, sleep<\/a> disturbances, and hot flashes<\/a>. The Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Cancer Research<\/a> estimates that vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes) occur within 75-80% of perimenopausal women. Despite these numbers, understanding this phase can help you manage the changes and feel more in control of your health.<\/p>\n\n\n

Causes<\/h3>\n\n\n

While the perimenopause process occurs as a natural part of aging, certain factors can influence when and how intensely you experience it. The primary cause is the decline in estrogen and progesterone levels<\/a>, but lifestyle, genetics, and medical conditions (such as hysterectomy or chemotherapy) can also play a role. Smoking and high-stress levels may even trigger earlier or more severe perimenopausal symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n

Symptoms<\/h3>\n\n\n

Perimenopause symptoms vary widely from person to person. Some of the most common include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n