This informational guide, part of PS's Condition Center , lays out the realities of this health concern: what it is, what it can look like, and strategies that medical experts say are proven to help. You should always consult your doctor regarding matters pertaining to your health and before starting any course of medical treatment. Menopause begins one full year after your last period, according to the Mayo Clinic , but there's also a name for the few years right before, when your periods start getting more unpredictable and your hormone levels begin to change.

This time is called perimenopause, and while it's not the same as menopause , it does come with similar symptoms that can feel just as tricky to address. You can think of perimenopause as a "transition phase," says ob-gyn Mary Jacobson, MD , chief medical officer of Alpha Medical, when the experience of menopause is starting but you haven't stopped getting your period altogether. That said, perimenopause symptoms can be mistaken for other conditions, like thyroid problems, depression, and anxiety, per Sky Women's Health — which only further highlights the misunderstandings around perimenopause and how to spot the signs.

Ahead, three doctors weigh in on what can you expect from perimenopause, and how to address the symptoms as they come. Mary Jacobson , MD, is an ob-gyn and the chief medical officer of Alpha Medical. Jennifer Howell , MD, is an ob-gyn specializing in menopause at Duke Health.

Shieva Ghofrany , MD, is.