Three stages of the menopausal transition from the Seattle Midlife Womenʼs Health Study: toward a more precise definition

Abstract

These findings provide evidence for a progression of menstrual cycle events through the menopausal transition, which form the basis for three stages of the transition: early, middle, and late transition. Studies about the entire transition need to include women younger than 45. Both menstrual calendars and questionnaire data are needed to identify these three stages, and precise definitions of irregularity and skipped period are necessary.