If perimenopause is a new word to you, you might be wondering—is it just another word for menopause? You might even hear these two words used interchangeably... Aren’t they the same thing?

They’re actually two entirely different experiences and should not be discussed as if they are the same thing. There is a significant amount of confusion about the differences between these two words, along with the confusion that surrounds the topic of perimenopause itself. What is it, and how does it affect women?

First and foremost, the word “perimenopause” has a prefix that’s essential to understanding its true meaning. The prefix “peri” is of Greek origin and means “about” or “around.” A great example in usage is the word “perimeter,” defined as “the path that surrounds.” Think of perimenopause as a journey down the path of hormone imbalance on the way to menopause. It is quite literally, “the time around menopause.”

The hormone landscape for women during perimenopause is also quite different from the hormone landscape during menopause. For approximately 80 percent of women, perimenopause is a very tumultuous and turbulent time due to fluctuating estrogen and progesterone levels. These fluctuations cause the underlying symptoms of perimenopause, such as hot flashes, excessive sweating at night, and irritability. Check out a complete list of symptoms associated with perimenopause here.

Luckily, for the 80% of women who experience these uncomfortable symptoms, there are different options for managing them. Doctors will often prescribe medication for perimenopause symptoms, including night sweats, with mixed results. You should consult your doctor with a prepared list of questions about medications and do your research about any known side effects to determine if and what medication is right for you.

Other women look for alternatives to pharmacological solutions in order to find relief. One of the alternative treatments for severe night sweats during perimenopause is BedJet. BedJet is the first clinically proven device to relieve perimenopausal night sweats, making it an excellent option for night sweat treatment during this challenging time in life.

So if perimenopause is not menopause, and vice versa, then what exactly is menopause? Simply put, menopause is reached when a woman does not have a menstrual cycle for twelve consecutive months. Until then, she is considered to be going through perimenopause. Once a woman actually reaches menopause, her ovaries are no longer producing enough progesterone and estrogen to facilitate fertility and ovulation, causing her menstrual cycles to cease.

Once a woman reaches menopause, the night sweats and hot flashes subside, but lower levels of hormones can present different health challenges. Brain fog, short-term memory loss, depression, generalized aches and pains, and lower bone density are all associated with low estrogen levels in menopause according to the Mayo Clinic.

If you or someone you love is going through perimenopause or menopause, stay informed about the differences between these two stages and talk to your partner about the changes they’re experiencing. It’s important to know the unique differences in symptoms between these two stages in order to be able to know how to provide the right support.

If you’re a partner to a woman dealing with fluctuating hormone levels during perimenopause and your sleep is specifically being affected – we’re here to help you both out! First know that you’re not alone – just head over to our shop page and read our countless reviews from the BedJet community of perimenopausal women and their partners who are going through the same thing. Second, you can stop losing sleep, and join thousands of other couples who have found relief from perimenopausal sleep disturbance by getting a BedJet Climate Comfort System for beds.

Got questions about BedJet? We’re happy to help. Call us at (401) 404–5250 to speak to a real human being or email us at info@bedjet.com. Sign up for our VIP list and follow us elsewhere on the web to get the latest BedJet deals, promos and news!