Perimenopause, Pre Menopause, Perimenopausal?
Someone Make it Make Sense!
Perimenopause, Perimenopausal, Pre Menopause: What’s the Difference (and Why Your Mental Health Might Be Struggling)
If you’ve ever found yourself Googling “perimenopause vs. pre-menopause” while wondering if you’re losing your mind, you’re not alone. These terms can feel confusing even though they’re often talking about the exact same thing.
Let’s break it down:
Perimenopause, Perimenopausal, and Pre-Menopause: Same Ride, Different Words
• Perimenopause is the official term for the transition period leading up to menopause. It’s when your hormones (mainly estrogen and progesterone) start to shift, often years before your periods stop for good.
• Perimenopausal just means you’re in that phase. It’s like saying you’re pregnant vs. pregnancy.
• Pre-menopause is a term people sometimes use interchangeably with perimenopause. Technically, it can also refer to any time before menopause—including your 20s and 30s—but most people mean “that hormonal rollercoaster before menopause hits.”
So yes, whether someone says they’re perimenopausal or pre-menopausal, they’re usually talking about the same thing: the time when things start changing, but you haven’t officially reached menopause (which is marked by going 12 months without a period).
What’s Going on Mentally During Perimenopause?
This transition doesn’t just mess with your periods or sleep, it can have a huge impact on your mental health.
Some common experiences during this time include:
• Increased anxiety or panic attacks, even if you’ve never had them before
• Mood swings that feel like emotional whiplash
• Irritability or rage that seems to come out of nowhere
• Depression or low motivation, even when things are “going fine” on the outside
• Brain fog or forgetfulness that makes you wonder if something’s seriously wrong
• Feeling lost or not like yourself anymore
Hormonal changes are a big part of it, but so is the fact that this phase often collides with major life shifts. Kids growing up, careers changing, aging parents, relationship transitions and your brain is running on a hormone cocktail that keeps changing the recipe.
You’re Not “Crazy”. You’re Perimenopausal
This is a normal (though often very disruptive) part of life for many women. But the mental health side of perimenopause doesn’t get talked about nearly enough. It’s not all hot flashes and night sweats. Sometimes it’s crying in the car or feeling like you’re unraveling for no clear reason.
The good news? You’re not alone, and there is help. Therapy, support groups, lifestyle changes, and sometimes medication or hormone therapy can make a huge difference. Most importantly, understanding what’s happening to your body and mind can help you feel more grounded.
In Short…
• Perimenopause = the transition to menopause (can last 4–10 years!)
• Perimenopausal = you’re in that stage
• Pre-menopause = often used the same way, but can be a little fuzzier
• Mental health matters during this time and support is out there
If you’re reading this and thinking, This is me, you’re not imagining things. And you don’t have to navigate it alone.
