Is It Perimenopause? Signs Your Body May Be Entering a New Chapter...

Maybe your period suddenly has a mind of its own.

You’re waking up hot in the middle of the night. Your sleep isn’t what it used to be. Your mood feels different. Your body is changing in ways you can’t quite explain, and somewhere between Googling your symptoms and asking your girlfriends, you start wondering:

“Wait… am I going through perimenopause?”

You might be.

Perimenopause is a normal stage in a woman’s life, but that doesn’t mean it always feels normal when it starts happening to you. For some women, the changes are subtle. For others, it can feel like their body changed the rules without bothering to send an announcement.

So let’s talk about what perimenopause actually is, some of the changes women may experience, and when it may be time to have a conversation with your healthcare provider.

First, What Exactly Is Perimenopause?

Perimenopause means “around menopause.” It is the transition period leading up to menopause, when the ovaries begin producing estrogen and progesterone differently.

And here is an important distinction:

Perimenopause and menopause are not the same thing.

During perimenopause, you can still have periods. You may also still ovulate and become pregnant.

Menopause is officially reached after you have gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period or spotting.

Perimenopause commonly begins during a woman’s mid-to-late 40s and often lasts around four years, although it can last anywhere from approximately two to eight years.

Because hormone levels can fluctuate unpredictably during this transition, the experience can look very different from one woman to another. But no worries, we are in this together.

1. Your Period Starts Acting Different

For many women, changes to the menstrual cycle are one of the first noticeable signs.

Maybe you’ve always been able to predict your period almost down to the day, and suddenly it arrives early.

Then the next month it’s late.

Then you skip one.

Then it comes back heavier than usual.

During perimenopause, periods can become shorter or longer, heavier or lighter, and more or less frequent. Some women may skip periods for several months and then begin bleeding again.

That doesn't automatically mean every period change is caused by perimenopause, though. Pregnancy and certain health conditions can also affect menstruation, which is why unusual changes are worth discussing with your healthcare provider.

2. You’re Suddenly HOT

You’re sitting there minding your business and suddenly…

Why is it 900 degrees in here?!

Welcome to the infamous hot flash.

A hot flash is a sudden sensation of heat, often affecting the face and upper body. Some women sweat heavily, become flushed, or experience chills afterward.

And when hot flashes happen while you're sleeping?

Those are commonly called night sweats.

Not every woman experiences them, but hot flashes are one of the most common symptoms associated with the menopausal transition.

3. Your Sleep Is Different

Maybe falling asleep isn't the problem.

Staying asleep is.

You wake up at 2:17 a.m.

Then 3:46.

Then your alarm goes off and you're wondering whether you actually slept at all.

Sleep disturbances are common during the menopausal transition. Night sweats can certainly contribute, but sleep problems can occur even without them.

And poor sleep doesn't stay in the bedroom. It can affect your energy, concentration, patience and overall sense of well-being during the day.

4. Your Mood Feels… Off

One minute you're fine.

The next minute everybody needs to stop talking to you immediately.

Sound familiar?

Some women experience increased irritability, mood swings or crying spells during perimenopause.

Hormonal changes may play a role, but hormones aren't necessarily the entire story. Think about what life can look like during this stage: careers, businesses, relationships, children, aging parents, finances, changing bodies and approximately 47 people needing something from you before noon.

Add disrupted sleep to that equation and it can become difficult to determine exactly where one factor ends and another begins.

Mental health still matters during this transition. Persistent anxiety, depression or emotional changes that interfere with everyday life deserve attention and support rather than simply being dismissed as “hormones.”

5. Your Brain Seems to Have 37 Tabs Open

You walked into the kitchen…

Why did you come in here?

You were about to say something…

What was it?

You opened your phone to do one thing and somehow forgot what that one thing was.

Some women report difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness or what is commonly described as brain fog during the menopausal transition.

Sleep disruption, stress and other factors can contribute as well, so significant cognitive changes shouldn't automatically be blamed on perimenopause.

Still, if you find yourself feeling mentally foggier than usual, you're certainly not the only woman talking about it.

6. Things Feel Different “Down There”

This is one we definitely need to talk about.

Changes in estrogen can affect vaginal and vulvar tissues.

Some women experience vaginal dryness, discomfort during sex or changes in sexual arousal during the menopausal transition.

Your sex drive can change, too. Some women experience less interest in sex, while others may experience their sexuality differently as they move through this stage of life.

And no, experiencing vaginal dryness doesn't mean you're “too young,” unattractive or no longer sexual.

Bodies change.

Women's wellness should include honest conversations about those changes.

7. Your Body Composition May Start Changing

You may notice that your body doesn't respond exactly the way it did ten years ago.

Changes around the menopausal transition can include differences in body composition and where fat is stored. Women can also lose muscle as they age.

This doesn't mean every pound gained after 40 is caused by hormones, and it certainly doesn't mean you should spend the next decade fighting your body.

Instead, this stage is an excellent time to pay closer attention to habits that support your long-term health, including movement, strength, nutrition, sleep and regular medical care.

8. Your Skin and Body May Feel Different

Your skin may become drier.

Your body may feel stiffer.

Your joints or muscles may feel different than they used to.

Some changes occurring during midlife are associated with the menopausal transition, while others may simply be part of aging.

Either way, this is a good reminder that your self-care routine doesn't have to remain exactly the same forever.

Your body changes. Your routine can change with it.

So… How Do You Know If It’s Actually Perimenopause?

This is where things get interesting.

There isn't necessarily one simple test that tells every woman, “Congratulations, you've officially entered perimenopause.”

Healthcare providers may consider your age, menstrual changes, symptoms and medical history.

Hormone blood tests aren't routinely needed for most women because hormone levels can fluctuate considerably during the menopausal transition. Testing may be appropriate in certain situations, such as when periods stop unusually early or when a healthcare provider is investigating another possible cause.

That is why tracking your symptoms can be incredibly useful.

Keep notes about:

• Changes in your menstrual cycle

• Hot flashes or night sweats

• Sleep

• Mood changes

• Vaginal dryness or discomfort

• Sexual changes

• Any new or unusual symptoms

Having that information can make the conversation with your healthcare provider much more productive.

When Should You Talk to a Healthcare Provider?

You don't have to wait until symptoms become unbearable.

If changes are interfering with your sleep, sex life, emotional health, work or everyday quality of life, talk with a healthcare professional.

You should also seek medical evaluation for bleeding patterns that concern you. For example, unusually heavy bleeding, periods occurring very close together, bleeding between periods or after sex, periods lasting longer than a week, or bleeding that returns after you've gone 12 months without a period shouldn't simply be assumed to be perimenopause.

There are also treatment options available for bothersome menopausal symptoms. Depending on your symptoms and individual health history, a healthcare professional may discuss lifestyle approaches, hormonal treatments or nonhormonal treatments.

You don't have to just “deal with it.”

Perimenopause Isn't the End of Anything

We need to change the way women talk about this stage of life.

Perimenopause isn't your body betraying you.

And menopause isn't an expiration date.

This is another chapter of womanhood, one that millions of women experience but generations of women weren't always encouraged to discuss openly.

You deserve information about what's happening to your body.

You deserve healthcare providers who listen.

You deserve solutions when symptoms affect your quality of life.

And you deserve to feel good in your body while it's changing.

At The Blush Spot, women's wellness means having conversations about the entire experience of being a woman... periods, vaginal wellness, sexual wellness, hormones, mental wellness, aging and all the changes nobody adequately prepared us for.

So if you've recently found yourself wondering,

“Girl… what is happening to me?”

It may be time to add perimenopause to the conversation.

And most importantly, remember this:

You're not disappearing. You're entering another chapter.

This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat or replace individualized medical advice. Speak with a qualified healthcare professional about symptoms or concerns specific to you.