2. You’re not officially menopausal until it’s been a year since your last period.
Menopause can be a tricky thing. You’ll think you’re done with periods, and then they’ll reappear. That’s why menopause is not considered to be an official thing until it’s been one year since your last period.
3. You’ll go through perimenopause first.
Menopause doesn’t just happen overnight. The body first goes through a transitional time called perimenopause.
During this time frame, estrogen and progesterone levels change. That’s why it kind of feels like you are going through puberty backwards. One day you may feel awesome, but the next you have symptoms-like hot flashes. And your periods may become irregular, either coming more or less frequently.
There’s no exact science as to how long perimenopause will last before a woman’s final period. However, experts say that it usually lasts for about two to eight years.
This is where symptom tracking comes in handy. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has a helpful menopause tracker that you can use.
4. Hot flashes aren’t just a myth.
Many women facing menopause will tell you one thing: the hot flashes are awful. They find themselves blasting the air conditioning in the middle of winter in a desperate attempt to escape the reality of the moment. And the next minute, they’re cold again.