If you’re unsure whether you’ve entered perimenopause, try tracking your periods or speaking with a menopause specialist. You can also check for lesser-known symptoms, such as tingling limbs or brain fog.

Many people may associate menopause with common symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and sleep disturbances.

But just because these symptoms are “common” doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll experience them. Some people may not experience any symptoms at all, or experience less common symptoms.

You’ve reached menopause when you haven’t had a period for one year. The time leading up to this milestone is known as perimenopause, during which you’ll see changes to your periods.

Globally, the age range for reaching menopause is between 45 and 55. The median age is 51.

However, up to about 11% of people may experience early (before age 45) or late-onset menopause (after age 55). A hysterectomy or oophorectomy may also cause surgical menopause.

Of the people who experience menopause, it’s estimated that 85% will experience common symptoms. But this leaves approximately 15% of people who won’t have any symptoms.

Below, we discuss how to know if you’re in menopause and don’t experience any of the more common symptoms, such as:

Even if you don’t experience the symptoms mentioned above, changes to your periods are the most tell-tale signs of menopause.

This is especially true if you have a uterus and do not have a history of ablation.

Some changes that might occur include:

You can take an at-home hormone test or speak with your doctor about a hormone level test.

Certain hormones fluctuate during menopause, which can give you an idea of whether you’ve started or if you’re nearing the end. Your doctor will look for:

While at-home tests can give you an idea of your hormone levels, they’re not 100% accurate. There are also no levels or ranges that can confirm you’re in perimenopause.

In general, it’s hard to use a hormone test alone to determine whether you’re in perimenopause or not, as everyone’s hormone levels differ and fluctuate.

This is why health professionals will check your levels multiple times, at least 4 weeks apart.

Even if you haven’t had any of the most common symptoms of menopause, maybe you’ve experienced other, less common symptoms. Try to think back and remember if you’ve noticed any of the ones listed below.

Less common physical symptoms of menopause may include:

Less common mental and emotional symptoms of menopause may include:

Fewer people may experience these symptoms during menopause, but it’s important to try to track them if you think they could be related to menopause.

You could then take this information to a menopause specialist or your doctor, who can provide more information.

You can connect with a certified menopause specialist, who’s also known as a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, for more guidance as you go through this life stage.

Or you can search for one using this tool from The Menopause Society.

Though it’s a time of biological change and potentially some uncertainty, finding an expert who can help you make sense of your symptoms, or lack thereof, may be what you need to better understand your body’s changes.

If you start to see symptoms eventually, or for any less common symptoms you may have, a menopause expert can help recommend treatment for them.

Menopause causes symptoms, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and mood changes, in an estimated 85% of people. But this leaves 15% of people who may not see any of these symptoms.

To tell if you’re in menopause, and if you aren’t experiencing any of the most common symptoms, first try to track your period. Any irregularities could be a sign that you’re in perimenopause.

Perimenopause has other less common symptoms that may not be talked about as much, including dry eyes, tingling limbs, and brain fog.

Connect with your doctor or a menopause specialist about hormone tests and for more guidance.

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