Perimenopause Stage 2: Warning Signs You Can’t Ignore — Act Now!

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May 20, 2025

Stage 2 of perimenopause can feel overwhelming, but understanding it can empower you. Skipping your period for over 60 days signals a significant hormonal shift. Brace yourself for common symptoms like hot flashes and brain fog. Discover how FSH, estradiol, and progesterone levels change during this time. There's a nuanced reality to estrogen levels—it's not just a steady decline. Learn about hormone therapy options, lifestyle habits that matter, and why knowing your stage can help you navigate what's ahead.

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INSIGHT

Skipped Periods Signal Stage Two

Skipping your period for 60 days or more signals entering stage two perimenopause.
This stage predicts menopause will likely happen within the next one to three years.

INSIGHT

Stage Two Symptom Escalation

Symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, joint pain, and brain fog increase in stage two.
These symptoms relate to fluctuating estrogen and progesterone levels during this stage.

INSIGHT

Hormone Fluctuations in Stage Two

Hormone levels fluctuate in stage two: progesterone drops due to lack of ovulation, estradiol swings, and FSH rises as periods lengthen.
These hormonal shifts explain symptom variability and irregular bleeding patterns.

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In this episode of Hello Hormones, I break down what happens in stage 2, why it can feel confusing or even scary, and what to expect over the next 1–3 years as your body transitions toward menopause. I’ll walk you through the hormone shifts, symptoms, lab markers, and lifestyle changes that matter most in this phase—so you can feel informed instead of overwhelmed.

Plus, I explain how hormone therapy might come into play, what to do if you’ve had a hysterectomy or use an IUD, and why knowing your stage (even if it’s not “required”) can help you feel more in control of what’s ahead.

In this episode, I cover:

What stage 2 of perimenopause is—and how it’s defined
Why skipping your period for 60+ days is a big milestone
What your hormones are doing (and why symptoms can feel more intense)
What FSH, estradiol, and progesterone levels may look like in this stage
Why hot flashes, night sweats, joint pain, and brain fog become more common
The reality of estrogen swings (and why it’s not a straight decline)
Who might be a candidate for hormone therapy—and when to consider it
Why foundational habits (like sleep, stress, and fiber intake) matter more than ever
What to do if you have an IUD or don’t bleed but still have ovaries
How to know if you’re close to postmenopause—and why that insight can be helpful

FREE GUIDES:

Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/hormones101

The Perimenopause & Menopause Labs Test Checklist: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/labtestchecklist

The Symptoms of The Perimenopausal Transition (WTF…) Ebook: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/perimenopausesymptom

Which Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Ebook: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/stagesofperimenopause

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