Many women do not know which stage of their reproductive lives they are in.
A new study, published in the journal Menopause and reported by Health, found that 34 percent of women over the age of 35 are unsure.
The study is based on responses from 7,640 women who use the Flo app to track their menstrual cycles and fertility.
The highest level of uncertainty was found among women aged 40 to 44.
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Symptoms can be mistaken for other conditions
One of the main reasons for this uncertainty is that the symptoms of perimenopause can resemble those of other medical conditions.
For example, hot flashes, headaches, joint pain, and irregular menstrual periods can also be caused by other health issues.
Several participants also said they lacked knowledge about which symptoms they should be aware of.
Some also reported that they did not receive the support they needed from the healthcare system.
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Earlier treatment
There is no single test that can determine whether a woman is in this stage. Instead, doctors assess factors such as age, menstrual patterns, medical history, and symptoms.
Blood tests may also be carried out to rule out other medical conditions, according to experts cited by Health.
The researchers believe that greater awareness of this stage could help women recognize symptoms earlier and receive appropriate treatment sooner.
This could help improve both quality of life and overall health.
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