Is this normal? What’s going on during perimenopause

(Spoiler: you’re not losing it)

Something’s shifting — and no, it’s not just in your head. Let’s figure it out together.

You’re not imagining it.

Maybe you’ve started forgetting words mid-sentence. Maybe your periods have gone rogue. Maybe you’re crying at salad adverts and sweating through your sheets at 3am. You’re not alone — and no, you’re not broken.

Perimenopause is the body’s slow shift towards menopause. It often starts in your late 30s or early 40s, sometimes even earlier. Hormones begin to fluctuate (especially oestrogen and progesterone), and as they do, a whole range of changes can show up: physical, mental, and emotional.

And yet, most of us arrive here with no roadmap. That’s what this space is for: to help you work out what is going on during perimenopause in a way that doesn’t feel clinical, condescending, or confusing.

We believe that understanding it is the first step to feeling more in control.

What you’ll find here

Perimenopause is a transition, not a diagnosis. So rather than throwing one big definition at you, we break it down into the things you’re likely wondering about right now:

• What is perimenopause?
  A clear, no-jargon explainer of what’s happening inside your body.
• Timeline and stages
  Perimenopause doesn’t look the same for everyone. We’ll break down the stages, what you might notice, and how long it all can last.

Whether you’re someone who wants all the details or you’re just here to skim, you’ll find straightforward information you can trust and understand.

Why this matters

Most women aren’t taught about perimenopause. It’s not covered in school. It’s rarely talked about by doctors until symptoms hit full force. So when it starts, it can feel disorienting.

We don’t learn about perimenopause until we’re already in it: tired, emotional, and wondering if it’s just stress, age, or something more serious. Knowing what’s going on during this transition isn’t just reassuring; it helps you take back some control.

By learning what’s happening inside your body, you can make more sense of what you’re feeling and decide what kind of support works best for you. There’s no pressure to fix everything overnight. Just small, manageable steps that help you feel more like yourself again.

This isn’t about “powering through.” It’s about recognising changes, understanding them, and knowing your options. Consider this an honest guide, written by someone who’s been there – or is right there with you.

Breaking a myth

Perimenopause isn’t a medical failure. It’s not something to be “fixed.”
It’s a natural life stage with hormonal changes that affect your mood, sleep, body, and brain.

Despite the name, this isn’t a “pause.” It’s a slow shift in how your reproductive system works, leading up to menopause. And just like we prepare girls for their first periods, we think women deserve the same heads-up for perimenopause. As women embrace puberty, we want them to embrace this phase of life.

This phase is experienced by literally half the world’s population. It deserves more than whispers, dismissals, or eye-rolls. It deserves clarity, conversation, and a bit of compassion.

Let’s get started

This is your space to explore the signs, symptoms, and stages of perimenopause. Whether you want to browse the headlines or dive deep, you’ll find what you need at your own pace.
This is your space to explore perimenopause with no shame, no overwhelm, and no one-size-fits-all advice.

Whether you want to dive into the stages or just confirm that what you’re feeling is, in fact, a thing, you’re in the right place.

Ready to dig in? Start with What is perimenopause?

---