More Than Hot Flushes: The Sneaky Signs of Perimenopause
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Hot flushes. Irregular periods. A bit of night-time sweating. That’s perimenopause, right? Well, yes. But also – not even close.
Perimenopause, the hormonal transition leading up to menopause, is far more widespread than most of us realise. Thanks to estrogen’s influence on nearly every system in your body, changes can show up in unexpected places – and far earlier than your mum might have told you.
If you’re over 40 and feeling just a little bit… off? This could be why.
“Is this normal… or am I losing it?”
Many women describe perimenopause as a time when they start to feel less like themselves. Not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, even socially.
Estrogen is not the only hormone that’s changing, but it’s the one that tends to create the most chaos. It’s like the first daisy in a hormonal daisy chain.
Here are just a few signs that estrogen levels might be fluctuating behind the scenes:
Sleep sabotage
Struggling to fall asleep, waking at 3 am wired, or dragging yourself to the office like a zombie? Hormones play a huge role in your body’s sleep regulation.
Brain fog
Memory blanks, poor concentration, lost motivation. It’s not just “being busy.” It’s biology.
Mood swings
You’re not just moody. Anxiety, rage, low mood, and a general sense of flatness are all part of the hormonal rollercoaster.
Changes in your body
Aches, joint stiffness, slower recovery from workouts, random niggles? Perimenopause impacts muscle, bone, and tendon health.
Weight around the middle
Even with the same habits, your body may start storing fat differently, particularly around the belly.
Libido, skin, digestion, periods
Yep. It’s a bit like trying to drive through the city while the tram line is being built. You can find yourself in places you’ve never been before.
And this is where it gets confusing
You could be ticking all these boxes – and still having a regular cycle (like me). So, you assume it must be stress. Or aging. Or just “not coping.”
You are not broken. You’re not imagining it. This is perimenopause.
So what can you do about it?
If you’re nodding along thinking “this is me” – here’s the good news. There is a way through. And it doesn’t have to involve “more willpower”, expensive supplements, or pretending it’s all fine.
Here are four places to start:
Move gently, but consistently
Your body needs movement – for your mood, muscles, metabolism, and joints. But it also needs recovery. This is not the time to punish yourself with hill repeats up Mt Taylor. Think walking, yoga, and rest days that you actually honour.
Eat to nourish, not to shrink
Perimenopause is the worst time to try cutting carbs or go “sugar free”. Restrictive diets cause hormonal havoc as well as cycles of frustration and disappointment. You can change up your approach to health and wellbeing to prevent the weight GAIN, but try to get comfortable with a bit of a meno-belly until your symptoms settle down.
Respect your sleep
Yes, it’s frustrating when sleep becomes elusive. But there’s a difference between trying to force sleep and creating the conditions that support it. Cut the late-night scrolling. Bring in a wind-down routine. Re-think caffeine and alcohol. Your nervous system will thank you.
Mind your mind
Perimenopause can rattle your confidence and fog your clarity. Prioritise downtime, say “no” to things that drain you, and connect with people who get it. You don’t need to power through. You need support.
It’s time to talk about it
If no one’s ever explained all this to you before – you’re not alone.
The truth is, we’re often under-informed about the impact of hormonal shifts in midlife, but this is changing. I believe that once you understand what’s happening, you can take action that actually helps.
Canberra is blessed with LOTS of support for this time of life. If you are looking for support, you will find it. Just don’t be shy to admit that you are struggling, because you might be surprised of how many of your friends and colleagues are too. Let’s keep the conversation going!
If you are keen to understand more about perimenopause, try taking the Peri-Curious quiz. It’s quick and easy and it’s free. It’ll help give you some insights into where you might be on your perimenopause journey, and to offer some “next steps” if you need support.
