Menopause, perimenopause
Perimenopause starts earlier than most people expect
It can begin years before periods stop, and it rarely announces itself. The changes to watch for, and why a blood test often settles nothing.
Reviewed against NICE Guidelines, 1 min read, published
Perimenopause is the long approach rather than the arrival, and for many people it begins in their forties, while everything else in life is at its busiest.
The early signs
Cycles change first — closer together, further apart, heavier, lighter. Then the rest:
- Hot flushes
- Disturbed sleep
- Mood that swings further than it used to
- Aching joints
- A memory that drops words mid-sentence
Your periods may become heavy or irregular before they stop. You may also have other symptoms, such as hot flushes.
Why it gets missed
Very few people connect that list to hormones straight away, and a surprising number are told it is stress. It may be both.
Quick summary
- When: for many people it begins in their forties
- First sign: cycles change: closer together, further apart, heavier or lighter
- Then: hot flushes, disturbed sleep, bigger mood swings, aching joints, lost words
- Over 45: usually recognised from symptoms alone, so keep a short record
