Perimenopause can begin 8-10 years before menopause, when the ovaries gradually produce less estrogen. It occurs when women are in their 30s or 40s. In the last one to two years of perimenopause, the drop in estrogen accelerates. At this stage, many women may experience menopause symptoms.

Menopause is the point when a woman no longer has menstruation for a period for 12 consecutive months. At this stage, the ovaries have stopped releasing eggs and production of estrogen is at it's lowest ever. This drastic change in hormones cause side effects known as menopause symptoms.

Post Menopause is the time after a woman has not bled for an entire year. Menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, insomnia, vaginal dryness and weight gain can continue for a decade or longer after the menopause transition due to lack of estrogens.