Expert reviewed
Dr Amara Blake, GP & Menopause Specialist
Reviewed for clinical accuracy against current UK guidance.
Perimenopause is the transition before your periods stop for good. It commonly begins in the early-to-mid forties, sometimes in the late thirties, and can last anywhere from a couple of years to a decade.
Changes women tell us they noticed first
- Cycles that shorten, lengthen, or become unpredictable
- Sleep that breaks in the early hours
- A shorter fuse, or a flatness that doesn't match your life
- Word-finding pauses and a sense of mental fog
- Changes in desire, arousal or comfort during sex
- Joint aches, skin changes, or a body that responds differently to the same habits
No single item on this list confirms anything. Patterns matter more than moments, which is why writing things down for a couple of cycles is more useful than any online quiz.
What Posteri will not do
We won't tell you that you are in perimenopause. That's a clinical conversation, based on your age, your history and your pattern of change. What we can do is help you describe what's happening clearly enough that the conversation is a good one.
Sources & further reading
- NICE guideline NG23: Menopause — diagnosis and management
- Women's Health Concern factsheet: Menopause and its stages
Last reviewed 02/07/2026. We review clinical content at least every 12 months.
This article is educational information, not medical advice. If something feels urgent, contact your GP or emergency services.