9 Alarming Perimenopause Symptoms Women Should Know Before Menopause

Perimenopause symptoms can attack out of nowhere. The next day your cycle is back to being a precise clock, the following it’s a random mess. Your mood loom from one to the other without warning and all of a sudden your sleep feels shattered. If that sounds familiar, you might be in perimenopause — the period of fluctuation that every woman experiences in the years leading up to menopause, and one she is likely to endure, often without obvious cues.

Here’s a rundown on exactly what perimenopause symptoms look like — and how to tackle them naturally and with confidence.

Perimenopause is the period, of a few years or longer, leading up to menopause, when hormone levels — particularly estrogen — start to fluctuate and decline. It typically begins in a woman’s 40s, but occasionally it may start as early as her mid-30s. This phase may continue for several months or even years.

Of course each woman’s experience can vary, but there are 9 symptoms which are most commonly experienced throughout perimenopause:

Abnormal periods — your cycle might skip, shorten, or get heavier.

Hot flashes — sudden, intense waves of heat, usually from the chest to the head, and often occurring at night.

Mood swings — from irritable toward anxious for no reason.

Changes in sleep — trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep.

Dry vagina – discomfort when having sex or during intimacy.

Low libido — fluctuations of interest or motivation for sexual activity, as well sexual response.

Fatigue — constant tiredness even after resting.

Brain fog — forgetting things or difficulty focusing.

Weight gain — especially around the belly, without changes in diet or exercise.

These are symptoms that your body is signalling that hormone levels are changing. Here are some early signs to be aware of.

Here are the symptoms most women have:

Fluctuating menstrual cycles (periods that come earlier or later than usual, periods that skip a month or more)

Hot flashes and night sweats

Mood swings and irritability

Problems with sleep (such as difficulty falling or staying asleep)

Vaginal dryness or discomfort

Decreased sex drive or changes in sexual desire

Brain fog and forgetfulness

Fatigue and low energy levels

Weight gain, specifically around the abdomen

Breast tenderness

They may not all occur at once and can range from mild to quite disruptive.

It all has to do with hormones. As your ovaries pump out less estrogen and progesterone, your body struggles to adjust. This isn’t just about your reproductive system but, your brain, skin, muscles even metabolism.

Lifestyle stress, bad sleep and diet can also exacerbate symptoms.

The menopausal transition, and postmenopausal (several years following menopause) — 4 to 8 years — average 9 months. For some women, it’s shorter. It’s way outside normal for others. Once you’ve completed an entire year without a period, you’ve officially hit menopause.

If you’re not prepared to delve into hormone therapy, there are natural techniques that can have a dramatic effect:

Nutrient-dense diet of healthy fats, fibrous foods, & leafy greens

Strong lifts for weight, walking or bike rides for mood regulation

Ashwagandha and maca root for hormone support

Evening primrose for hot flashes and breast pain

Magnesium-B complex combo for a good night’s sleep outweighing stress and anxiety

Cut down on alcohol, sugar, and caffeine as those can exacerbate symptoms

You can also visit this science-based guide from NIH for home remedies and lifestyle support.

If your symptoms are affecting your daily life, it’s time to speak with a provider. Issues like excessive bleeding, severe depression or acute memory loss should never be dismissed.

You can also inquire about tests that measure hormone levels to determine if you are in perimenopause.

Perimenopause = you get symptoms, but you still have periods.

Menopause = you’ve had 12 months without a period.

It’s a spectrum — not a light switch.

Perimenopause symptoms don’t have to sneak up on you. When you know what you’re up against and you are in charge of your current health, this move can feel a whole lot more manageable — not to mention empowering.

You’re not broken. You’re evolving. And given some help, your body can accommodate beautifully.

Find out more about how sugar affects hormones in our 30-Day No Sugar Challenge article.