Can You Still Have Regular Periods and Be Perimenopausal? Let’s Talk About It.

A few weekends ago, while visiting my parents (and apologies to all my Atlanta friends—this was a very quick trip!), my mom asked me point blank:

"Are you menopausal yet?"

She didn’t go through menopause until she was 54 years old. Turns out, her mother also went through it later.

At the time of this writing, I have just turned 48. My cycles are still regular—but I’m absolutely feeling the perimenopausal symptoms creeping in.

I’m sharing this because it’s a question I hear a lot—including recently on my YouTube channel:

Can you still have regular periods and be perimenopausal, even in your late 40s?

The answer is:

Yes. Absolutely yes.

You Can Ovulate, Get Pregnant... and Still Have Symptoms

It’s a weird stage, honestly.

You can still ovulate (meaning—yes—you can still get pregnant if you’re not careful) and you can also be dealing with:

• Brain fog

• Mood swings

• Insomnia

• Hair changes

• Itchy ears (yes, that's a thing)

• Weight gain

• Hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety... you name it

Just because your periods are showing up “on schedule” doesn’t mean your hormones aren’t shifting under the surface.

In fact, you can be in your late 40s (or even early 50s) and still having regular cycles while dealing with a rollercoaster of symptoms—and you’re very much considered perimenopausal.

What the STRAW Guidelines Say (and Why It Can Be Confusing)

The STRAW workshop (which stands for Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop) gave us a framework to define perimenopause in research:

• Early perimenopause happens when your cycles change by 7 days or more (either earlier or later).

• Late perimenopause happens when you skip two periods in a row, or go 60+ days without a period.

But here’s the tricky part:

The STRAW guidelines focus on cycle changes, not symptoms.

And that’s where many women (and honestly, many providers) get confused.

You might still have regular periods—and yet feel completely different than you did a few years ago. And it’s valid.

When Does Menopause Actually Happen?

The average age to walk through the menopause door is around 52 years old—but that's just an average.

• Some women will go through it earlier (in their 40s)

• Some right around the average

• Some later, like my mom at 54

Menopause is officially defined as 12 consecutive months without a period.

Sadly, there’s no crown, no award ceremony—you’re just officially “menopausal” after a full year.

Your Body Didn’t Get the Memo—and That’s Okay

I know guidelines like STRAW exist to give research a helpful foundation—but here’s the thing:

Your body isn’t reading the manual chapter by chapter.

Your experience might not fit neatly into the guidelines—and that’s normal.

Don't panic if your hormonal changes don’t look exactly like your best friend's, your sister’s, or even your mom’s.

Every woman’s path through perimenopause and menopause is slightly different—and that's exactly how it's supposed to be.

You’re doing just fine. 💛