MENOPAUSE CLASS™ • LESSON 01

Wait…Am I in Perimenopause?

“But I still have a period…”

Yep—and that's exactly why we're starting here.

One of the biggest misconceptions about menopause is that it begins when your periods stop. The transition can begin years before the final menstrual period, while you're still menstruating.

In this lesson, we'll break down perimenopause, menopause and post menopause, what those words actually mean, and why your cycle may only be one piece of the puzzle.

By the end of this lesson, you'll understand:

  • What perimenopause actually means

  • How perimenopause differs from menopause

  • What “12 months without a period” means

  • Why symptoms can begin while you're still menstruating

  • Why there isn't one universal menopause experience

  • What changes are worth discussing with your healthcare professional

🎓 Class Recap

Remember these three things:

Perimenopause can begin while you're still having periods. Your cycle may change during the transition, but having a period doesn't automatically rule out perimenopause.

Menopause is a milestone, not the entire transition. Natural menopause is recognized retrospectively after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period when there isn't another explanation.

Your symptoms deserve context. Not every new symptom or bleeding change is automatically caused by menopause. Your age, medical history, medications, surgeries and individual symptoms all matter.

📓 Before You Leave Class…

Open your Menopause Class Notes to Lesson 01 and jot down:

Where do I think I might be in the menopause transition—and what changes have I noticed that I want to discuss with my healthcare professional?

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