As the conversation around the menopause continues to grow and society recognises that women no longer should be suffering in silence, specialists are further examining the menstrual cycle leading up to the menopause. The new buzzword: perimenopause. Roughly translated as the transition phase as the physical changes begin in the years leading up to the final menstrual period – perimenopause may last between 4 to 8 years and begins with changes in the length of time between periods and ends one year after the final menstrual period.

Perimenopause symptoms are more difficult to detect than those for the menopause: perimenopause is the natural process caused when ovaries gradually stop working – the menstrual cycle lengthens and flow may become irregular before your final period. Perimenopause symptoms can include mood changes, headaches, trouble concentrating, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, joint and muscle aches, erratic sleep patterns.

The perimenopause is a natural process – which can be a hormone rollercoaster - and there some easy things you can do quickly to help yourself through the experience: avoid alcohol and caffeine if they trigger hot flushes, use moisturisers for vaginal dryness, reduce stress with mindfulness and yoga, eat a healthy balanced diet and take part in regular exercise for energy.

Stats show that an estimated 35%-50% of perimenopausal women suffer sudden waves of body heat, about 40% of perimenopausal women have sleep problems, and mood swings effect around 10%-20%.

Also, estrogen levels for pre-menopausal women should be 30-400 pg/ml and 0-30 pg/ml for postmenopausal women. If you are struggling with symptoms, perimenopause is recognised by GP’s and alternative medicine specialists too.