Is this menopause?

Waking up soaked in sweat? Can't remember why you walked into the room? Crying at commercials? Answer 12 quick questions to see whether your symptoms fit perimenopause and what you can do about it.

It takes about 2 minutes. You don't need to sign up, and your answers never leave your device.

Perimenopause vs. menopause: what's the difference?

Perimenopause is the transition leading up to menopause. It often starts in your 40s, but it can begin in your late 30s, and it usually lasts several years. Your hormones rise and fall unevenly during this time, which is why your periods and symptoms can feel so unpredictable.

Menopause is one specific point in time: 12 months in a row with no period. In the U.S. it happens at age 51 on average. Everything after that point is called postmenopause.

Common questions

Can a blood test tell me if I'm in perimenopause?

Usually not by itself. Your hormone levels can change a lot from one day to the next during perimenopause, so a single test may look normal. For women over 45, doctors usually diagnose perimenopause from your symptoms and your period pattern.

What treatments actually work?

Hormone therapy is the most effective treatment for hot flashes and night sweats, and it's a safe option for many healthy women under 60. There are also non-hormonal prescriptions, vaginal estrogen for dryness, and lifestyle changes. Talk with a clinician who knows menopause care about which options fit you.

Could my symptoms be something else?

Yes. Thyroid problems, anemia, depression, sleep apnea and some medications can cause similar symptoms. That's why it's worth seeing a clinician rather than relying only on a quiz.

I'm under 40 and have these symptoms. Should I worry?

Don't panic, but do make an appointment. Menopause symptoms before age 40 can have other causes, including primary ovarian insufficiency, and a doctor should check.