According to health line, most of the symptoms associated with menopause actually happen during the perimenopause stage. Perimenopause is the prolonged stage of gradually falling and fluctuating hormone levels. Some women luckily enough go through menopause without complications or unpleasant symptoms while others find menopausal symptoms beginning even during perimenopause and lasting for years. Typically, the symptoms begin when a woman hits her mid 40’s as her reproductive capability comes to an end.