While often used as interchangeable terms, perimenopause and menopause represent two natural phases in a woman's life. Perimenopause, is the term for the years, usually a decade, leading into menopause. After 12 months without a menstrual cycle, a woman has reached menopause (average age 51 in USA). Post menopause is the term for the years after menopause. 

While all natural phases, they can come with a variety of changes to the body hormonally. These hormonal changes can lead to a long list of symptoms that can contribute to many of the negative and positive changes women experience during these phases of life. Adding life stressors- like aging parents and/or kids, relationships, and work- it is no wonder that so many woman report their lives are significantly changed by this phase of life.