Perimenopause, often referred to as the ‘second puberty,’ is a stage of life that many women are unaware of. This transitional phase into menopause usually starts in a woman’s mid- to late 30s and involves hormonal changes that affect various aspects of a woman’s body.

In recent times, perimenopause has gained more attention. Miranda July’s novel ‘All Fours’ was hailed as the ‘first great perimenopause novel’ by The New York Times, and actress Naomi Watts advocated for perimenopause to be recognized as ‘the new puberty’ to raise awareness and empathy towards women going through this phase.

Perimenopause is not a literal second puberty, as puberty occurs during adolescence. However, the term ‘second puberty’ is sometimes used informally to describe the period when irregular estrogen levels lead to physical changes associated with perimenopause. This stage typically occurs three to five years before menopause, which generally starts in a woman’s 40s.

While menopause marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years, perimenopause precedes it and can bring about symptoms such as bone and muscle mass decline, skin changes, hair issues, irregular periods, reduced fertility, vaginal dryness, and hot flashes. These symptoms are akin to those experienced by most women during menopause.

A recent study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders highlighted a significant increase in depression among perimenopausal women. This underscores the importance of understanding and addressing the challenges faced by women during this lesser-known phase of life.