Technically, menopause is the point in time when a person has had no menstrual period for 12 consecutive months.

Perimenopause is the time period leading up to this milestone, characterized by fluctuating hormone levels.

Symptoms may occur earlier, but most experience the physical and emotional changes of perimenopause in their 40s or early 50s when:

• Their monthly cycle begins to change
• Estrogen and progesterone production becomes unpredictable
• The number of stored eggs in the ovaries decreases

95% experience menopause after the age of 45.