Myths about Perimenopause Series: Post #2
Perimenopause Doesn’t Wait Until Your 50s: Here’s What You Need to Know
By Dawn Van Berkel, LPC, CCTP, CST
One of the most common misconceptions about perimenopause is that it only begins when you hit your 50s. For decades, this belief has left countless women confused, misdiagnosed, and unprepared for a stage of life that actually begins much earlier.
Let’s set the record straight.
Myth: Perimenopause Only Happens in Your 50s
Truth: Perimenopause can start as early as your mid-to-late 30s, though most women begin experiencing noticeable symptoms in their early to mid 40s. It’s the transitional phase leading up to menopause (which is the point when you’ve gone 12 consecutive months without a period).
This transition can last anywhere from 4 to 10 years, depending on your unique circumstances.
What Happens During Perimenopause?
During perimenopause, levels of estrogen and progesterone start to fluctuate unevenly. These changes affect your menstrual cycle, mood, cognition, and physical health. Symptoms may include:
Irregular periods
Mood swings or increased anxiety
Sleep disturbances
Fatigue
Brain fog
Hot flashes and night sweats
According to The North American Menopause Society (NAMS), these hormonal shifts often begin years before menopause, and many women don’t initially recognize them as part of perimenopause.
Why the Myth Persists
Part of the confusion lies in a historical lack of education and research. Menopause has often been framed as a single event in your 50s, ignoring the decade-long transition that comes before it.
Additionally, because symptoms like irritability, poor sleep, and irregular cycles are often attributed to stress or aging, they are frequently dismissed or misdiagnosed.
But understanding when perimenopause truly begins can empower women to seek help and make proactive decisions about their health.
What the Research Says
The average age of menopause in the U.S. is 51, but hormonal changes usually start 4 to 10 years earlier, often in a woman's 40s or late 30s (Harvard Health, 2021).
Studies show that up to 90% of women experience symptoms during the perimenopausal transition, and many of those symptoms begin long before periods stop (Freeman et al., 2014).
What You Can Do Now
If you’re in your 30s or 40s and feel like your body or emotions are shifting in new and unfamiliar ways, it may be perimenopause. You can:
Track your cycle and symptoms
Speak with a provider who understands hormonal health
Explore lifestyle changes, therapy, or hormonal, nutrition, exercise
Knowledge is power, and understanding the true timing of perimenopause helps women advocate for themselves earlier, rather than waiting for their 50s.
References
Freeman, E. W., Sammel, M. D., Lin, H., & Nelson, D. B. (2014). Associations of hormones and menopausal status with depressed mood in women with no history of depression. Archives of General Psychiatry, 63(4), 375–382. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.63.4.375
Harvard Health Publishing. (2021). Understanding the symptoms of perimenopause. Harvard Medical School. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/understanding-the-symptoms-of-perimenopause
North American Menopause Society. (2022). Menopause 101: A primer for the perimenopausal. Retrieved from https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopauseflashes/menopause-symptoms