Signs Perimenopause is Ending (& What Comes Next)

It can feel like transitioning to menopause takes forever, which is why so many women are searching intensely for signs perimenopause is ending.

Perimenopause can last a long time, with some cases lasting longer than a decade. This transitional period is full of unpredictability and can be a difficult pill to swallow.

So, how exactly do you know perimenopause is ending? What are you supposed to look out for?

Here are the main signs perimenopause is ending and what comes next.

What is perimenopause?

Before we explore the signs perimenopause is ending, let’s first redefine perimenopause itself.

Perimenopause is a transitional phase that bridges the gap between pre-menopause and menopause.

In the media, it’s the menopause that you associate with symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings and weight gain.

In reality, though, these often present themselves during perimenopause rather than menopause itself.

You have officially reached menopause when you have had no periods or spotting for 12 months in a row. Until then, you may still be experiencing all of the symptoms of perimenopause but still experiencing some sort of menstrual cycle; even if that’s erratic and irregular.

What’s the final stage of perimenopause?

Perimenopause can be split into 2 different stages:

1. The early stage of perimenopause This is the start of perimenopause. Your hormone levels begin to fluctuate and change.
2. The late stage of perimenopause This is the final stage of perimenopause before you reach menopause itself. It’s at this point where you see signs perimenopause is ending. In general (though not always), your periods become less frequent and more stretched apart.

After the late stage of perimenopause, you then reach menopause. This is marked when you have had no vaginal bleeding (including light spotting) for 12 months in a row.

Signs perimenopause is ending

Every woman’s experience of perimenopause and menopause is unique. Some may only have a few symptoms while others find that these hormonal changes can make life truly challenging for them.

The fact that everyone’s journey is different means that these signs perimenopause is ending aren’t universal. However, they are the most common ones.

1. Longer gaps between periods

One of the most common signs perimenopause is ending is having longer gaps between periods and spotting.

In the early stage of perimenopause, you might find you’re skipping periods every now and again but there’s still some sort of rhyme or reason to your cycle. Your periods may become heavier, lighter, and even closer together.

That said, when you enter the late stage of perimenopause, it’s common to experience sporadic periods. You may go for months without any vaginal bleeding, and when you do have a period, you may experience only spotting for a day or two.

2. Changes to hot flashes and night sweats

Hot flashes and night sweats are what we call vasomotor symptoms. They are some of the more common symptoms of perimenopause and occur, in part, due to the changes to your hormones.

One of the common signs perimenopause is ending is a change to these vasomotor symptoms. However, this could work both ways: they may become far more frequent and severe while they could, too, become far more manageable as you inch your way toward menopause.

Unfortunately, it’s difficult to provide a black and white explanation when it comes to hot hot flashes become signs perimenopause is ending. That’s why it’s so important to track yours. By doing so, you’ll be able to spot patterns as you reach the late stage of perimenopause.

3. You are having fewer and less severe headaches

Perimenopause and headaches are closely linked. While some women don’t experience perimenopause related migraines, others find them debilitating.

If, in the past, you’ve had headaches due to hormonal changes – for example, right before a period – you may experience more migraines in the early stage of perimenopause when your hormones are at their most unpredictable.

However, as you reach the late stage of perimenopause, some women find that their headaches lessen in severity and frequency, making this one of their key signs perimenopause is ending.

If you are suffering from migraines, remember that it’s always best to see a doctor.

4. Your mood swings aren’t as drastic

Perimenopause is no picnic and mood swings can be extreme. As your oestrogen and progesterone levels are falling, your emotions rise and fall with them.

That said, as your hormone levels start to settle back into a predictable rhythm in the late stages of perimenopause, your mood swings can start to stabilise.

If you are having fewer and less extreme mood swings, this may be an indication that perimenopause is coming to an end for you.

However, it’s really important to remember that low oestrogen can contribute to (or trigger) anxiety. Your mental health matters just as much as your physical health. Always get the support you need, regardless of what stage of perimenopause you’re in.

5. You may be sleeping better

One of the more common side effects of perimenopause is insomnia and sleep disruption. You may wake up in the night sporadically or find it tricky to fall asleep in the first place.

Some women find that sleep improvement is one of the better signs perimenopause is ending. While this isn’t the case for everyone, some women’s sleep will settle when their hormones aren’t fluctuating as much as they reach menopause.

For others, though, they may still experience sleep problems for a little while in post-menopause.

6. You may be feeling more bone and joint pain

A loss of bone density and joint pain are common during perimenopause due to falling oestrogen levels. With those declining oesteogen levels comes an increased risk of osteoporosis and achy joints.

Unfortunately, your oestrogen levels drop the further into perimenopause you go, and by the time you reach menopause, these symptoms are at their most pronounced.

The bright side, though? Bone and joint pain may be signs perimenopause is ending.

What comes after perimenopause?

After perimenopause comes menopause itself. This is marked once you have gone 12 consecutive months without a period.

(Please note that if you start bleeding after 12 months without a period, you should see a doctor. This is considered post-menopausal bleeding and needs to be examined.)

Once you’ve reached menopause, your body needs to adjust to your new normal of lower progesterone and oestrogen levels.

Menopause, believe it or not, is actually only one day. The day that is officially one year since having any sort of vaginal bleeding. After this one day, you’re post-menopausal.

So many symptoms will start to ease at this point. However, it’s still important to track how you’re feeling for a good 6 months afterwards. There are some symptoms, such as vaginal dryness and achy joints – that can persist or even worsen during post-menopause life.

Signs that perimenopause is ending – when to see a doctor

Perimenopause is a natural transitional period of life that all women other than those who experience surgical menopause have to go through.

That being said, your doctor should be looped in on how you’re feeling. It’s a good idea to talk to a healthcare professional about all of your symptoms, particularly if:

• You have had an exceptionally heavy period or it has lasted for a long time
• You are bleeding even after reaching menopause (ie: you have gone 12 months without bleeding and then you start again)
• Your perimenopause symptoms are impacting your everyday life
• Your mental health is suffering and you’re struggling with conditions like depression, anxiety or overwhelming stress.

Signs perimenopause is ending – in a nutshell

There are a range of common signs perimenopause is ending – but they don’t apply to everyone. Every woman’s experience of perimenopause and menopause is totally unique.

The most important thing is to track how you’re feeling. Tracking your symptoms allows you to pick up on certain patterns, which means that, when those patterns start to fluctuate, you may be able to interpret them as signs perimenopause is ending.

From sporadic periods that have longer gaps between them to a change in your typical symptoms (such as hot flashes, sleep quality, headaches and mood swings,) it’s all about listening to your body and being aware of what’s “normal” for you.

Remember that some symptoms, like vaginal dryness and joint pain, can worsen once you’ve reached menopause. So, make sure you keep your doctor in the loop so they are able to help you through this transition.