The First Signs of Perimenopause
Perimenopause doesn’t always make a dramatic entrance. No sirens, no flashing lights – only a handful of sneaky symptoms that leave you wondering: is it just me? Newsflash: it’s not just you.
Your periods are all over the shop
Once upon a time, your cycle ran like clockwork. Now it’s ghosting you, turning up early, or arriving like it’s got something to prove. Totally normal. Totally annoying.
Hot flushes & night sweats
The stars of the show. You’re fine one minute, then boom — internal bonfire. Night sweats? Same deal, just with bonus sleep deprivation.
Sleep’s a nightmare
Falling asleep takes longer. Staying asleep feels optional. And that lovely 3 a.m. wide-awake window? Happens to a lot of us.
Mood swings
One minute you’re fine, the next you’re bawling. Your dipping serotonin and dopamine levels are the culprits.
Brain fog
Can’t remember that word? Or why you opened the fridge? Or where your phone is (it’s in your hand)? You’re not losing the plot, you’re losing estrogen.
Everything bugs you
The sun is shining. Damn it, the sun isn’t shining. The bloody pasta isn’t al-bloody-dente! Your tolerance is shot because your progesterone levels are falling.
Skin and hair go off-script
Where’d this pimple come from? Why’s my skin so flaky and itchy? Dear God, am I going bald? Why am I growing whiskers!? When estrogen dips, things get weird.
Downstairs drama
Vaginal dryness, discomfort, leaks or more frequent UTIs — it’s not glamorous, but it is common.
Libido’s left the building
Testosterone’s going bye-bye. Add dryness and fatigue into the mix, and intimacy slips wayyyy down the priority list.
Your waistline’s had enough
The kilos are sneaking onto your midriff and your gut’s bloating for no good reason. Your metabolism’s slowing, and estrogen is shifting fat storage. Cortisol (your stress hormone) isn’t helping, either.
Achy breaky body
Back twinges. Joint stiffness. Estrogen used to help keep inflammation at bay. With less of it, your body’s letting you know.
Teeth and gum tantrums
Bleeding gums? Wobbly teeth? Turns out, estrogen supports bone density in your jaw, too. Of course it does…
Dry everything
Dry eyes. Itchy skin. Tingling hands and feet. Estrogen’s moisture magic is fading, leaving you parched in odd spots.
Heart flutters and head spins
Palpitations, dizziness or headaches can be part of this phase, too.
