Perimenopause is the transition phase around and leading up to menopause. Perimenopause can last for 4-10 years and often begins in a person’s 40s or 50s. Perimenopause ends one year after the final menstrual period. Symptoms of perimenopause can include: hot flashes; irregular, heavy, or missed periods; sleeping issues; bladder issues such as UTIs or urinary incontinence; night sweats; vaginal dryness; painful sexual intercourse; a decrease in fertility; changes to libido; loss of bone density; changing cholesterol levels; mood swings; weight gain; and thinning hair.