Each perimenopause journey is different, but certain common signs and symptoms may indicate that perimenopause is ending. Here’s what to look out for.
Going through perimenopause isn’t an exact science. The transition to menopause looks and feels differently for each person. From symptoms and severity to total length, no two perimenopause experiences are exactly the same.
Still, certain perimenopause commonalities can give you a sense of where you are in your perimenopause journey. And if you’re wondering how to tell if perimenopause is ending, a few of those common signs can clue you in.
Here are ten signs that perimenopause is ending, plus how to get relief from perimenopause symptoms .
1. Periods are few and far between One of the most telltale signs that perimenopause may be ending is your period—or rather, lack thereof.
Irregular periods are a common sign of perimenopause . As you get closer to menopause, your cycle becomes more and more irregular and your period comes more and more infrequently. In fact, you may even go 60 days or more between periods by late perimenopause!
>>MORE: Everything You Need to Know About Perimenopause Periods
Keep in mind, however, that as long as you get periods, you haven’t reached the end of perimenopause. Menopause officially starts only after you’ve gone 12 consecutive months without a period. If your period comes, even if it’s been months since the last one, the clock starts over.
2. Hot flashes intensify Hot flashes and night sweats, also called vasomotor symptoms (VMS), may get worse as you near menopause.
Hot flashes generally start around two years before your final period and peak in intensity 12 months after the final period. So, if your hot flashes suddenly happen more frequently and feel more unbearable, it could be one of the signs that perimenopause is ending.
In general, hot flashes gradually resolve after official menopause, but may last another ten years. Talk to your doctor about treatment options if hot flashes are interfering with your comfort and well-being.
3. Vaginal symptoms worsen Perimenopause may be ending soon if your vaginal symptoms worsen.
Estrogen is crucial to vaginal health. As this hormone approaches its lowest point during late perimenopause and menopause, it’s increasingly unable to properly regulate vaginal health. This can lead to an increase in symptoms related to vaginal atrophy and genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM).
Symptoms include:
Vaginal dryness, irritation, burning, and itching Vaginal, pelvic, or abdominal pain Decreased lubrication Pain or discomfort during sex Pain or discomfort while peeing Overactive bladder Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) According to estimates, 33% of people in late perimenopause may experience increased vaginal dryness and more pain during sex. After official menopause, 40% to 57% of people may have vaginal symptoms. Numbers may well be higher, though, as these symptoms often go unreported.
Vaginal symptoms can be distressing, but you don’t have to suffer in silence. Talk to your doctor about symptoms so you can develop a treatment plan and get relief.
4. Depressive symptoms increase If symptoms of perimenopause depression start to worsen, it could mean that perimenopause is ending.
Research shows that symptoms of depression and anxiety increase significantly in late perimenopause, particularly as more time passes between periods.
Perimenopause depression symptoms include:
Feeling sad and tearful a majority of the time Feeling worthless and hopeless Avoiding contact with friends and loved ones Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy Sleeping too much or too little Like so many other perimenopause symptoms, depression and mood symptoms are related to fluctuations in hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone . Depressive symptoms can also stem from factors like hot flashes, sleep disturbances, stressful life changes, and other distressing perimenopause symptoms.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of depression at any point during perimenopause, reach out to a doctor or therapist to establish a care plan.
5. Brain fog starts to lift Perimenopause brain fog can make it hard to think. These cognitive symptoms include:
Feeling forgetful Difficulty concentrating Feeling mentally cloudy and sluggish Difficulty with word recall Difficulty with written or verbal comprehension Difficulty with task completion Perimenopause brain fog can be confusing, disorienting, and concerning, but the good news is, it’s not permanent.
In fact, long-term studies have shown that brain fog improves in late perimenopause. After official menopause, you’ll likely be back at your normal, pre-menopause cognitive levels.
In other words, if you feel like your brain fog is finally starting to lift, it may be a sign that perimenopause is ending.
6. Sex drive changes Changes in your sex drive may also signal that perimenopause is ending.
Perimenopause symptoms tend to ramp up the closer you get to menopause. This can create a symptom cocktail that changes the way you think and feel about sex—and very understandably so.
For some people, sex drive may decrease . Reasons include more severe:
Sex drive can also increase , though this is somewhat rarer. For some, the lower likelihood of pregnancy may make you feel more confident and drive libido.
Whatever your sex drive, remember that you can get pregnant during perimenopause . To avoid pregnancy, be sure to practice safe sex until you’ve officially reached menopause. Or, if you’re trying to get pregnant, consider tracking your hormones with an at-home fertility kit to find your fertile window and optimize your chances of conceiving.
Other signs that perimenopause is ending Other signs that perimenopause may end soon include:
Skin changes Hair changes : You may experience hair loss or hair thinning on your head. Headaches and migraine Bone loss : Bone loss can speed up , increasing your risk of fractures and osteoporosis.How to treat late perimenopause symptoms If your late perimenopause symptoms are making your day-to-day life uncomfortable, talk to your doctor about how to find relief.
Lifestyle strategies, medical interventions, natural remedies, and more may help smooth your perimenopause experience, including:
Signs perimenopause is ending: the takeaway Many perimenopause symptoms tend to worsen the closer you get to menopause.
Signs like longer stretches between periods, increased hot flashes, and more severe vaginal symptoms can all clue you in that perimenopause may be ending.
However, perimenopause is a waiting game. It’s impossible to say how much longer, exactly, perimenopause will last after you begin to notice these signs.
In the meantime, you and your doctor can make a perimenopause treatment plan so you can feel your best as you transition into the next phase of your life.
