Perimenopause ends once you’ve gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. At that point, you’re officially in menopause. However, because perimenopause can last up to 10 years, many people look for clues that it may be ending soon.

Here are some signs that menopause may be approaching.

During perimenopause, estrogen and progesterone levels can change a lot. These hormone shifts often affect the menstrual cycle.

Some women experience changes in menstrual flow, with periods that may be heavier or lighter from month to month.

Others find that their cycles become longer or shorter. For instance, one period may last three days, while the next lasts 12 days.

One study found that 77 percent of women going through the menopause transition had bleeding that lasted 10 or more days at least three times.

As menopause nears, many women notice longer gaps between periods. They may go from having a period every 30 days to one every three months.

Hormone changes during perimenopause can cause insomnia. You may have trouble falling asleep or wake up frequently during the night. “I’m surprised at how much my sleep has been affected,” one ThisIsMenopause member said.

Sometimes sleep problems start to improve as menopause nears. If you’re finally sleeping better after months or years of disrupted sleep, it could be a sign that perimenopause will end soon.

Up to 80 percent of women have hot flashes and night sweats during perimenopause. These are also called vasomotor symptoms.

As menopause gets closer, you may find that your vasomotor symptoms change. You may have more frequent hot flashes or more intense sweating — or you may notice longer stretches between hot flashes or find that the symptoms start to go away.

Hot flashes can continue for up to 10 years after menopause, but they often become less severe and happen less often over time.

As menopause gets closer, lower estrogen levels may cause changes in your hair, including thinning and texture changes.

The more estrogen levels drop, the more noticeable hair thinning may become. Hair loss may appear around the front, sides, or top of the scalp, but complete baldness is rare.

As estrogen levels decline, you may notice weight gain. Hormonal changes can also cause weight to settle in places where you didn’t carry it before.

Before perimenopause, weight gain is more common in the hips, buttocks, and thighs. As estrogen levels decline, body fat is more likely to collect around the abdomen.

Weight gain may increase as menopause gets closer, but it often levels off within a few years after menopause.

Hormone changes during perimenopause can lead to mood swings, including irritability, anxiety, and depression. “My anger started changing, and what bothers me the most is how I treat the ones I love,” a ThisIsMenopause member said.

As hormone levels become more stable near menopause, some people notice improvements in mood and relief from some mental health challenges. Some people also find that their mood improves during postmenopause.

Talk With Your Healthcare Provider

Speak with your gynecologist, women’s health expert, or another healthcare provider if you’re unsure whether perimenopause is coming to an end. They can review your menopause symptoms and may order blood tests to check hormone levels, if needed.

If lifestyle changes or treatment options could help ease your symptoms, they’ll work with you to create a treatment plan tailored to your needs and goals.