Many women report feeling more confident by the time they've reached their forties.
Often their careers are in full swing and their children are spreading their wings. Most women are entering perimenopause by their mid-40s, and although it can be a difficult time, the good news is that the symptoms are quite common and often treatable. Perimenopause is the transition period prior to menopause, when estrogen levels begin to drop. Most women begin perimenopause at about age 46, and it may last from two to five years. Typical symptoms include a change in amount or duration of menstrual flow, a change in length of the menstrual cycle and skipping menstrual periods.