We all know what menopause is. So why aren’t we talking about perimenopause?

We all know what menopause is, but what’s lesser known is perimenopause— and women's health experts say that conversation is equally important.

As many women approach the height of their careers and family lives, they most likely will also battle a range of frustrating symptoms tied to perimenopause— the transition into menopause that many may not know about.

"'Peri' means around, so perimenopause is the time around menopause, and perimenopause is most commonly used to describe the years preceding the final menstrual period," says Nina Coslov, the co-founder of Women Living Better, an organization that helps normalize the path to menopause through education and research.

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Perimenopause can start as early as their late 30s or early 40s when women still get a period. However, many are unaware of why their mind and body are changing due to lack of knowledge.

"Every person who is going to go through this should know about it by the time they're 35," Coslov adds. "It’s surprising to learn you may be in perimenopause in your early 40s but understanding what’s happening makes a world of difference."

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What are the symptoms of perimenopause?

Signs of perimenopause differ for everyone, but common symptoms include night sweats, mood swings, vaginal dryness, sleep issues, mood disturbances, acne and weight gain. Recent research has also shown that many perimenopausal people also reported feelings of forgetfulness, irritability and lower libido.

Experts note that these symptoms are similar to those of menopause, leading to confusion from those who believe they are too young for menopause.

The symptoms of "perimenopause and menopause are essentially one in the same," according to Arianna Sholes-Douglas, a fellow of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

"Many women start to experience shortening menstrual cycles, heavier menstrual cycles, and more irregular bleeding. So in this sense, perimenopause is no different than menopause."

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Despite the severity of these symptoms, people don't realize these changes influenced by fluctuating hormones can impact their everyday lives for the next five to ten years.

"Not only is it not talked about, but unless you really understand what's going on, you may not understand why you're suddenly getting acne again or having more facial hair due to perimenopause," says JoAnn V. Pinkerton, a professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Virginia.

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Why aren't we talking about perimenopause?

Health experts say most topics within women's health are often avoided due to misogynistic stigmas and misinformation.

"There tends to be somewhat of a dismissal of women’s health issues once they are no longer reproductive. There are practitioners that actually do not even examine women below the waist if they have had a hysterectomy," says Sholes-Douglas.

There's also a perpetuating cultural bias against aging for women, who face discrimination years earlier than men, research shows.

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"Out of fear of losing their femininity or being branded as old, many women in this phase will choose to suffer in silence until it manifests into a crisis," Pinkerton says.

"Society expects that women are going to have mood swings and be emotional, and this stereotype doesn't help women who are going through perimenopausal symptoms. They worry their symptoms won't be taken seriously, or if they talk about it, they'll be thought to be less capable especially in their work lives."

However, a cultural narrative that praises, rather than shames, women for their midlife journey can help resolve some of these negative feelings. Though experts are "hopeful" about the rise in interest about menopause, they acknowledge the lack of resources and understanding around the lesser-known transitional phase of perimenopause.

"Menstruating is a sign of the amazing things our bodies are able to do," says Coslov. "Just like we shouldn’t feel the need to hide our periods and our tampons, we shouldn’t feel the need to hide the things that change as we approach menopause but we do."

The consequences of keeping perimenopause ‘taboo’

Without open discussions about perimenopause, experts fear women may navigate this frustrating time in isolation.

"For a while, the topic was taboo, and women just suffered in silence in a shroud of secrecy," says Pinkerton, who adds that bottling up emotional reactions to physical changes like hot flashes can "trigger an actual depression" for some.

"These menopausal symptoms can have a profound effect on how a woman feels about herself and erode her self confidence. And all of this affects their self image, their ability to work, their productivity."

Surprisingly, this lack of discussion also extends into the doctor's office: Experts say it's not uncommon for healthcare providers, doctors, gynecologists and physicians to dismiss the severity of perimenopause.

"It's often brushed off, and sometimes physicians and doctors want to tell women it's all in their head, when they really need someone to listen to them and help them figure out what's going on," Sholes-Douglas says.

However, once women are more informed and empowered, "they can affect change in the medical system," and it's important to find a doctor who "makes a person feel validated."

“It’s important that healthcare providers are knowledgeable about perimenopause so that they can validate patients concerns," says Coslov.

"I really do believe this is where change can happen," Sholes-Douglas adds "And I believe that once women become more engaged and even take more ownership of their health, we can slowly start to move the needle."

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Perimenopause: Symptoms and when does it start? And why is it taboo?