Perimenopause is the first stage of the menopause transition, when a woman is still menstruating (though periods may become irregular) and hormonal symptoms begin to present. It's followed by menopause - the point at which a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a period.

Symptoms of perimenopause often begin 7-10 years before menstruation stops, which means they can start as early as 35-40. Because symptoms can begin so early, many women don't recognize that the mood swings, brain fog, fatigue, and more are due to fluctuating hormones.

The sooner you begin HRT, the sooner you can find relief. Uncomfortable symptoms are the best indicator that a woman could benefit from HRT, and physicians highly recommend starting HRT in perimenopause.

In addition to symptom relief in the short-term, HRT treatments can also help to prevent long-term health problems like osteoporosis, diabetes, heart disease, and some types of cancer as women progress through the menopause transition.

Each woman has unique timing and symptoms of the menopause transition, and HRT will not hasten or delay this natural process. HRT provides symptom relief for a more comfortable experience as women progress through this transition.