Perimenopause: what is it and the signs to look out for

Perimenopause – what’s that? I thought only menopause was a ‘thing’ I had to endure.

Actually, there’s four stages in a woman’s life: premenopause – which are when menstrual cycles are in full bloom, perimenopause, menopause and then post menopause.

Want to know more about perimenopause? Read more from Perth holistic hormone coach, Melissa Perna, to learn about perimenopause and how to identify the signs to look out for.

What is perimenopause?

Perimenopause refers to a phase in a woman’s life before menopause. For many women, this change begins around 40 and starts with a fluctuation of the hormone’s progesterone and estrogen, plus androgens like testosterone.

Perimenopause typically starts when a woman is in her 40s but for some, it will begin in their thirties.  It can last as little as 2 years or as long as 10 before we hit that menopause day!

What’s that? Yes, menopause is only one day: marking the one year anniversary of your last period.

Perimenopause and menopause is not a simple physical event, as it can often be a highly emotional time, too. And it isn’t something to be scared about, but rather, an opportunity for growth and empowerment.

After all, approximately 40 million women are experiencing the perimenopausal transition right now. So, if you’re one of them – you’re in good company, and if you work with me, a holistic hormone coach, you’re in good hands.

The 15 (yes, 15) signs to look out for

Perimenopause is a transitional phase in a woman’s life between reproductive age and menopause. It happens to all women, but sadly, it’s not so commonly talked about…until it’s happening.

As a Perth holistic hormone coach, I have compiled 15 of the most common symptoms of perimenopause. Let’s dive right into them.

1.        Irregular periods

Every woman’s period is different – with some being more regular than others. You need to ask yourself if your period is irregular for you. Why? Because changes in the length or heaviness of your period is often the first sign of your body’s sex hormones shifting into perimenopause.

2.       Hot flashes and night sweats

Be it once a day or up to 20 times (or more), hot flashes are not nice. They can also present themselves with an increased heart rate, dizziness and headaches.

3.       Interrupted sleep

Tossing, turning and waking up regularly in the middle of the night is another sign, likely due to a progesterone deficiency in perimenopause or menopause.

4.      Weight gain

The change in hormones is telling your body to store fat in the abdominal area. Our nutritional needs change as we enter this phase of our lives. Certain diet and lifestyle changes can support you through this transition.

5.      Fatigue

This is unsurprising with the sleep issues you may be experiencing. But, feeling exhausted and ‘crashing’ throughout the day may even occur after a well-rested sleep.

6.      Forgetfulness

Enter a room and forget why you’re there? Can’t remember where you left your car in the car park? Fuzzy thinking and memory changes are unfortunately very common.

7.       Hair thinning or hair loss

You can thank estrogen and testosterone imbalance for the reason you may start to notice clumps of hair in the shower drain.

8.      Vaginal dryness

Roughly 50% of women in perimenopause and menopause experience vaginal changes such as dryness, itching and pain.

9.       Low libido

And who can blame you if you’re experiencing symptom 8?

10.    Joint stiffness

Joint pain or stiffness may be felt in the back, knees or hips due to fluctuating estrogen levels.

11.      Cravings

Feeling carbs? Your body is calling for more valuable micronutrients. Balance is key.

12.     Digestive upset

An increase in gas, diarrhoea and constipation may appear.

13.    Anxiety and depression

As hormonal imbalances present themselves, this can affect your mood and emotional health.

14.    Irritability and feeling overwhelmed

Existing stress levels can be exacerbated during perimenopause. This is where overwhelm can take over. Feeling angry and snapping at your loved ones doesn’t feel good – for them or for you. Thankfully, recognising outbursts can give you time to quash them.

Remember, you’re not alone.

15.    PMS-like symptoms

Feeling bloated, headachy, moody? Experiencing breast tenderness and cramps? You might think it’s that time of the month again. But if they’re stronger than usual and more frequent, it could be pointing to perimenopause.

Need help navigating perimenopause?

You don’t have to do it alone. As a fully qualified Perth holistic hormone coach, I’m here to help you navigate your perimenopausal journey by helping you understand and balance your hormones.

Balanced hormones = a happy and healthy life!

Contact me to find out how I can help today.