Perimenopause can actually start as much as a decade before menopause. But this isn’t the case for most people. On average, perimenopause is thought to last about four years. Unfortunately, there’s no real way to tell in advance what your experience will be, including how long it will last or what your symptoms will be like. When you’re going through perimenopause, there’s no way to know which period will be your last. Based on your age and symptoms, though, you can usually infer when you’re getting close to menopause. If you’re in your early 50s, you’re having hot flashes and you’ve been skipping periods for the last few years, it’s likely that you’re headed into menopause. Menopause is a natural phase of life, so if you’re of standard menopausal age and your symptoms are mild, you don’t necessarily need to see a doctor. But if your perimenopause or menopause symptoms are impacting your quality of life, it’s time to get some help from your primary care physician, Ob/Gyn or a doctor who is certified in menopausal medicine