DEFINING THE PERIMENOPAUSE FOR APPLICATION IN EPIDEMIOLOGIC INVESTIGATIONS

The authors present a method for defining the inception of perimenopau se that is based on self-reported data. The study sample(n = 1,550) wa s obtained from a 5-year longitudinal study of 2,569 Massachusetts wom en aged 45-55 years that began in 1981. The definition was derived fro m the ability of responses to questions concerning timing of the last menstrual period, menstrual regularity, and presence of menopausal sym ptoms (hot flashes/sweats) to predict menopause 3 years later. The two items that best defined the inception of perimenopause were 3-11 mont hs of amenorrhea and increased menstrual irregularity for those withou t amenorrhea. This definition can easily be used in large epidemiologi c investigations.