Progress Your Health Podcast

In this podcast, we talk about the difference between PMS (premenstrual syndrome) and perimenopause.  We get this question all the time, Doc, I think I am going into menopause.' When really, they are nowhere near menopause, let alone perimenopause. What makes it so confusing is that there are so many similarities between PMS and perimenopause. But some distinctions are important to point out, especially when it comes to testing and treatment. PMS (premenstrual syndrome) is pretty much as it sounds.  Symptoms appear prior (pre) to the period (menses). But usually, the symptoms appear in a cyclical pattern. The symptoms will appear anywhere from 14 days to just a couple of days before the period. The distinction between PMS and perimenopause, is the symptoms are present all month in perimenopause. Perimenopause is NOT menopause.  It is the time before a woman enters menopause.  It can be anywhere from age late 30's to late 40s.  In perimenopause, you are still getting your period (it might be irreg