What is perimenopause? The confusing phase you didn’t expect.

Is it just stress… or something else going on?
Mood all over the place? Can’t sleep? Skin changing? Periods doing that weird start-stop thing? You’re not imagining it. This might be perimenopause. Let’s break it down.

So, what is perimenopause?

Perimenopause is the time around menopause, when your hormones start to shift and things start feeling… off. It’s your body’s natural transition out of the reproductive years.

You’re still having periods (for now), but they’re likely irregular, heavier or lighter, or suddenly showing up early… or late. On top of that, you might start experiencing symptoms like anxiety, brain fog, hot flushes, or just not feeling like you.

🤷‍♀️ Yes, you read that right: you can be having symptoms of menopause even though you’re still having periods. That’s perimenopause.

It ends when your periods have been gone for 12 months that’s when you officially hit menopause. But symptoms? They can start years before and carry on for a while after.

When does it start?

Perimenopause can start earlier than most of us expect (usually in your 40s) but for some, it can begin in your late 30s. Think of it as a gradual change, not a switch.
Symptoms might come and go. Some improve, others show up later.

It’s not linear. It’s personal.

Common symptoms

Perimenopause doesn’t look the same for everyone. Some women breeze through it. Others feel like their body’s running a system update… without warning.

You might notice small changes. Or big ones. Some might come and go, others stick around.
From mood shifts to sleep struggles, brain fog to unexpected period drama, the list is long, and no two experiences are identical.

We’ve put together a symptom library so you don’t have to guess. Browse by category or search for what you’re feeling.

Why hormones change?

Let’s keep this simple.
Hormones are chemical messengers in your body. They help regulate everything from your mood to your metabolism.
They have been with you every step of the way:

• They kick-started your periods.
• They regulated your cycle.
• They supported pregnancies (if that was part of your journey).
• And now? They’re changing again.

This hormonal shift isn’t random. It’s your body moving out of its reproductive phase — and into something new.

Three big players

So what’s happening?

During perimenopause, these hormones don’t decline in a straight line — they spike and crash, day by day, month by month. That’s why some days you feel fine, and others feel… off.
And yes, this hormonal rollercoaster is the core reason behind most perimenopause symptoms.

• When oestrogen drops? You might feel anxious, foggy, or suddenly sweat through your sheets at night.
• When progesterone dips? You might struggle to sleep or feel more on edge than usual.
• When testosterone shifts? Energy and sex drive can feel flat.

Menopause is puberty in reverse.

The MenOpause Manifesto, Dr Jen Gunter

You’re not alone

Let’s be honest — most of us didn’t see this coming.
No one really sat us down and said: “Here’s what to expect.”
So when the mood swings hit, or sleep goes out the window, or your confidence starts dipping, it can feel like it’s just you.

But it’s not.

Almost every woman who experiences menopause will go through perimenopause first. And for many of us, it changes everything — your relationships, your work, your sense of self.

Still, we don’t talk about it enough. And when we do seek help, it’s not always there.

You’re not imagining the struggle. And you’re definitely not alone.
This is a shared experience, even if it’s rarely shared out loud.

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