Menopause Series: Perimenopause vs. Menopause

How to Diagnose

Experiencing the symptoms of menopause or curious if you're navigating perimenopause? Here is how to know if you're in perimenopause and how to tell the difference between that and menopause?

While menopause is clearer to diagnose—it begins 1 year after the last period and tests are available to confirm—there’s not a test to diagnose perimenopause, it is diagnosed based on symptoms & context.

The Symptoms

Some perimenopausal changes that occur in people with regular cycles:

• New onset heavy and/or longer flow

• Shorter menstrual cycles (25 days or less)

• New sore, swollen or lumpy breasts

• Increased period pain

• Onset of nightsweats, esp. premenstrual

• New or increased migraine headaches

• Unexplained weight gain

• New/increased premenstrual mood swings

• New onset insomnia

The Conclusion

If you are older than 35 and have at least 3 symptoms, then you are likely in perimenopause.

If it has been 1 year since your last period, you are in menopause.