How long does perimenopause last?

The two guests who tackle this on The WarriorBabe Show don't give the same number, and that's worth knowing. On Ep. 339, reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Jaime Knopman describes perimenopause as the changes that happen before menopause, which is defined as going a full year with no period. She says it can last one to six or seven years. On Ep. 207, certified menopause consultant Hatty McCafferty gives a longer range of roughly four to 12 years, and says symptoms can continue for years after menopause itself.

Why the gap? Part of it is that perimenopause is hard to pin down while you're in it. Dr. Knopman points out that these diagnoses are often made looking back. She says the usual signs are periods that used to be regular becoming irregular, often alongside diminished ovarian reserve, and that for some women this happens at younger ages than expected, even in their 30s. Hatty adds that for Black, Latina and Asian women it can begin as early as four years before white women, so if it's noticed late, the whole window can feel even longer.

If your body feels different and the old approach has stopped working, that isn't a failure on your part. This is a long, gradual transition, and your plan should adjust with it.