Transitional years The perimenopausal years are those preceding menopause during which women transition from regular to irregular cycles. Women experience symptoms reflecting extreme hormonal fluctuations. The average age of menopause in American women is 51. 6 Perimenopause lasts two to eight years, averaging four for most women. Because women may still have regular periods at first, they may not realize the changes they're experiencing are due to perimenopause.
Hot flashes are very real and typically begin early in perimenopause.
One researcher reported skin temperature increased by an average of 3.1 C, with the elevation lasting 44 minutes. The decrease in estrogen levels disrupts the body's thermoregulatory system, resulting in periodic reduction of core temperature. The body responds with peripheral vasodilation. Hot flashes can be triggered by caffeine, alcohol, stress, and hot weather. Some women wake up at night so drenched that they must change their sheets and nightclothes, sometimes more than once.