What Does Perimenopause Actually Look Like?

Over the last 10 years, I’ve had the privilege of training and coaching women through perimenopause and menopause—and helping them navigate a season that can feel challenging, confusing, and sometimes downright unpredictable.

But it wasn’t until the last couple of years that I really started to appreciate some of those challenges myself.

Now, feeling very much in the throes of perimenopause, I have become even more passionate about understanding this transition—not just from a professional perspective, but from a very personal one.

It has led me to dedicate so much of my work with clients to learning about this season, understanding the MANY ways hormonal changes can show up, and exploring evidence-informed strategies that can help women feel more like themselves again.

Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll be sharing some of those strategies with you.

But today, I want to start with a really important question:

What does perimenopause actually look like?

Because it can look like SO much more than hot flashes.

Perimenopause is the transition leading up to menopause, and changing ovarian hormone patterns can affect menstrual cycles and contribute to symptoms involving sleep, mood, cognition, temperature regulation, sexual health, and more. Every woman’s experience is different.

And while I’m grateful that more healthcare professionals are talking about menopause and perimenopause, there is still a significant gap in awareness, education, and individualized care.

Sometimes women are told:

“It’s just stress.”

“You’re getting older.”

“You have two kids—you’re probably just exhausted.”

“Your labs are normal.”

And yet… you know something feels different.

So, what are some of the signs that may occur during the perimenopause transition?

MENSTRUAL CHANGES

• Cycles becoming shorter or longer

• Skipping periods

• Heavier or lighter bleeding

• Changes in flow or duration

• More unpredictable cycles

TEMPERATURE CHANGES

• Hot flashes

• Night sweats

• Feeling unusually hot or cold

• Temperature regulation feeling “off”

SLEEP CHANGES

• Trouble falling asleep

• Waking during the night

• Waking earlier than usual

• Sleep disruption associated with night sweats

BRAIN + MOOD

• Brain fog

• Forgetfulness

• Difficulty concentrating

• Irritability

• Mood changes

• Increased anxiety or emotional sensitivity

BODY + MUSCULOSKELETAL CHANGES

• Joint aches or stiffness

• Muscle discomfort

• Changes in body composition

• Changes in how your body stores fat

• Feeling different during exercise or recovery

SEXUAL + VAGINAL/URINARY CHANGES

• Vaginal dryness

• Changes in libido

• Discomfort

• Urinary urgency or frequency

And there can be other changes too—including headaches or migraines, skin and hair changes, and changes in energy or how you feel overall.

The important thing to remember is that not every symptom is caused by perimenopause, and symptoms can have many different explanations. But when several of these changes begin showing up together—especially alongside changes in your menstrual cycle—it’s worth having a conversation with a healthcare professional who understands the menopausal transition.

In my experience, working witu a holistic provider who will look at the big picture is KEY too!!

You are not imagining it.

You are not alone.

And you don’t have to simply “push through” this season without learning what’s happening in your body and exploring your options.

This is exactly why I’m dedicating the next few weeks on the blog to PERIMENOPAUSE.

We’ll talk about nutrition, strength training, sleep, stress management, hormones, lifestyle strategies, and the different options women can discuss with their healthcare providers.

Because understanding what’s happening is often the first step toward knowing what to do next.

If you’re in this season too, what’s one change you noticed that made you think, “Okay…something is different”?

And if you would like to learn more about navigating this season, reach out or comment ME and I’ll share some of my favorite resources with you!

#PerimenopauseAwareness #Perimenopause #MenopauseAwareness #WomensHealth #MidlifeWomen #HormoneHealth #HealthyAging #WellnessForWomen #HealthCoaching