Perimenopause: The Stage Nobody Talks About Enough

Hot flushes are just the beginning. Here is what perimenopause really looks like — and why recognising it early can change everything.

Most women know what menopause is. Fewer know about perimenopause — the transition phase that can begin years, sometimes a decade, before your periods actually stop.

It is one of the most significant hormonal shifts a woman will experience, yet it is routinely underdiagnosed, misattributed to stress or anxiety, and largely unspoken about. That needs to change.

What Is Perimenopause?

Perimenopause literally means 'around menopause'. It describes the transitional period when your ovaries gradually begin producing less oestrogen. This can begin as early as your late 30s, though it is most common from the mid-40s onwards.

Menopause itself is defined as the point at which you have not had a period for 12 consecutive months. Everything leading up to that moment — which can last anywhere from two to twelve years — is perimenopause.

What Are the Signs?

The symptoms of perimenopause are wide-ranging and often unexpected. Many women are surprised to learn that what they are experiencing is hormone-related at all. Signs can include:

– Irregular periods — cycles becoming shorter, longer, heavier, or lighter

– Hot flushes and night sweats

– Sleep disturbances

– Mood changes, including anxiety and low mood

– Brain fog and difficulty concentrating

– Reduced libido

– Joint aches and changes in skin and hair

– Vaginal dryness

Because periods are still occurring — even if irregularly — many women and their GPs attribute these symptoms to stress, depression, or thyroid issues rather than hormonal transition. If you recognise these signs, it is worth specifically raising perimenopause with your doctor.

Why Recognising It Early Matters

Perimenopause is not a medical emergency, but it is a significant life phase that deserves attention and support. Left unacknowledged, its symptoms can quietly erode quality of life for years.

Early recognition also allows women to make informed decisions — whether that is exploring lifestyle changes, considering HRT (hormone replacement therapy), or simply understanding why they feel the way they do.

The shift in oestrogen during perimenopause also has longer-term health implications, including effects on bone density and cardiovascular health. These are not things to ignore.

What Can Help

– Speak to your GP — particularly about whether HRT might be appropriate for you. The evidence base for HRT has improved significantly in recent years and many women find it transformative.

– Support your sleep actively — prioritise sleep hygiene, reduce alcohol, and look at cooling products for night sweats.

– Look at nutrition — phytoestrogens (found in foods like soy and flaxseed) and magnesium can help support hormonal balance.

– Move your body — weight-bearing exercise is especially important for protecting bone density.

– Seek a community — perimenopause can feel isolating, but it should not. Talking to other women going through the same experience is genuinely valuable.

You Are Not Imagining It

If you have been feeling unlike yourself and have not been able to put your finger on why, perimenopause might be the missing piece. It does not mean your best years are behind you — far from it. It means your body is changing, and it deserves the right support.

MUVA's menopause section is built to help you find exactly that — curated products and trusted information for every stage of the transition.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

hello@wearemuva.com User

A passionate wellness writer bringing you evidence-based health insights.