| Stages/nomenclature of normal reproductive aging in women |
| Stages: | -5 | -4 | -3 | -2 | -1 | +1 | +2 | |
| Terminology: | Reproductive | Menopausal Transition | Postmenopause | |||||
| Early | Peak | Late | Early | Late* | Early* | Late* | ||
| Perimenopause (aka Climacteric) |
||||||||
| Duration of Stage: | variable | variable | ⓐ 1 yr |
ⓑ 4 yrs |
until demise |
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| Menstrual Cycles: | variable to regular | regular | variable cycle length (more than 7 days different from normal) | more than 2 skipped cycles and an interval of amenorrhea (more than 60 days) | A m e n. x 12 m o s |
none | ||
| Endocrine: | normal FSH** | ↑FSH | ↑FSH | ↑FSH | ||||
| *Stages most likely to be characterized by vasomotor symptoms. **FSH=follicle stimulating hormone Source: Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop (STRAW), Menopause 2001 |