Am I in perimenopause? A 2-minute symptom check
This quick check looks at your age, your periods and common symptoms. It can't diagnose perimenopause, but it shows how well your symptoms fit, and helps you plan a talk with your doctor.
See a doctor for bleeding after sex, between periods or after 12 months without periods, for very heavy bleeding, or for menopause-type symptoms before age 40.1,2
Take the check
How the check works
Doctors describe the start of perimenopause as a lasting change of 7 days or more in the time between periods. Later in perimenopause, gaps of 60 days or more are common.3
Hot flashes and night sweats are the most typical symptoms. Sleep problems, mood changes and vaginal dryness are common too.2,4
UK guidance says women over 45 with typical symptoms can be diagnosed without blood tests.1
What to do next
- Keep a diary of your periods and symptoms for 2 to 3 months.
- Take it to your GP or an online menopause service.
- Read about HRT and non-hormonal treatments so you know the options.
Common questions
Can a blood test tell if I'm in perimenopause?
Usually not. Hormone levels swing from day to day in perimenopause. UK guidance says women over 45 with typical symptoms don't need a blood test to be diagnosed.1 See are at-home menopause tests accurate?
At what age does perimenopause start?
Most often in your 40s, but it can start in your mid-30s.2
Can I be in perimenopause with regular periods?
Yes. Symptoms such as poor sleep, hot flashes or mood changes can start before your periods change.2,4
Related
Sources
- Menopause: identification and management (NG23), recommendations, NICE (updated November 2024)
- Perimenopause: symptoms and causes, Mayo Clinic (2025)
- Harlow SD et al. Executive summary of the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop + 10 (STRAW+10), Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (2012)
- Perimenopause: age, stages, signs and symptoms, Cleveland Clinic