All three stages have different biochemical body changes. Menopause is often a blanket term used to describe any of the stages. However, we’re here to debunk common terms and help explain what’s really going on in your body, encouraging you to know it’s part of the process. 

There are actually three stages of menopause:

1. Perimenopause
2. Menopause
3. Post-menopause
   
   

Perimenopause

Perimenopause is what most people call “menopause.” It is the transitional phase to menopause, which when you’ve gone a full 12-months without a period. It can last from 2 to 10 years and can include a myriad of signs and symptoms, most commonly associated with hot flashes, erratic periods and mood swings. 

This happens as your body produces fewer hormones during the follicular and luteal phases of your cycle until you stop ovulating altogether and reach menopause.

What's the best supplement for women suffering from premenopause? Perimenopause? Menopause?

Check out our Perimenopause Support supplement.

Menopause

Menopause is officially reached the day they’ve done 12 full months without a cycle. Yes, technically it is just one day.

The average age of menopause in the US is 51. Again, that can vary widely. And it is possible to enter menopause very quickly in response to cancer treatment or other health issues. 

Post-Menopause

Immediately following the day you’ve gone 12 months without a period, you’ll enter post-menopause. You’ll remain in this phase for the rest of your life.

Luckily, many symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings may ease, but some may continue. 

Women may continue to experience urinary frequency, urgency and urinary infections as well as increased vaginal dryness. 

And unfortunately, post-menopause brings other health challenges, like higher risk of developing diabetes, osteoporosis, mental health issues (like dementia and depression) and heart disease. Regular monitoring and assessments with your doctor are important to help mitigate these risks. 

The positive sides? Many women report they feel what Margaret Mead called “postmenopausal zest.” No longer riding the wave of the cycle and often no longer giving as much energy to others, women find more time for themselves.

In fact, a study has shown optimism peaks at 55. 

What can help? 

We designed Wile to work with you throughout every stage of your 40s and 50s, from the earliest signs of perimenopause through post-menopause. 

Our products all work together, complement one another and target specific needs so you take only what you require when and how you want it.

But the one product we recommend for any woman over 40 is the Perimenopause Support herbal supplement as the foundation and better baseline for the key systems affected during this life stage: your endocrine, adrenal and nervous systems. 

Try our quiz to see how we can help you best today.