Perimenopause can feel like a rollercoaster, but often its symptoms are disregarded as they appear common when they appear in isolation. Perimenopause is not something to be afraid of – but something that, if you’re prepared and know the symptoms, you’re less likely to have a hard time, as you can better manage the experience.
SO WHAT ARE THE TOP FOUR SIGNS OF PERIMENOPAUSE?
Picture this – One minute you’re cruising through life, and the next you’re wondering why your jeans don’t fit, why you’re wide awake at 2 am, you’re anxious all the time and you’re emotions are swinging like a pendulum (angry one minute, crying the next?)
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone – and you’re certainly not imagining it. Women often get unfairly coined as overemotional. Yes, perhaps women are more likely to express emotion than their male counterparts, but feeling your emotions is healthy.
During perimenopause however, emotions and mood variations tend to be heightened. You are not ‘going crazy’ – and these emotional swings are not just you being sensitive – they are a result of biologically significant hormonal changes – and there’s evidence to back this up.
Here are four of the most common symptoms of perimenopause that often catch women off guard…
1. BELLY FAT THAT WON’T BUDGE
That sudden thickening around the middle isn’t just about ageing or lifestyle. As oestrogen levels shift, fat distribution changes, leading to more storage around the abdomen. Even women who haven’t changed their eating or exercise habits notice an increase in fat around this area. Often this leaves women disheartened as the usual routine and diet no longer works. Body confidence can take a hit and we work harder to try and shift weight that is occurring due to biological hormonal changes – we see little to no results and we feel like we’re fighting a losing battle.
2. SLEEP DISTURBANCES – THE 2 AM CLUB
Waking in the middle of the night for no reason? Difficulty falling or staying asleep? Hormonal fluctuations in perimenopause affect melatonin and cortisol, making restorative sleep feel out of reach. This isn’t just frustrating – it impacts mood, energy and metabolism. A marked lack of sleep will only increase feelings of anxiety and stress, which can lead to chronic adrenal fatigue or burnout.
3. ANXIETY AND MOOD SWINGS – THE OESTROGEN AND PROGESTERONE ROLLERCOASTER
Many women are blindsided by heightened anxiety or emotional volatility in their 40s. It’s not just “stress”—the nervous system becomes more sensitive to hormonal dips, particularly in progesterone, which helps regulate mood. You may feel on edge, teary, or irritable without a clear trigger.
4. IT’S GETTING HOT IN HERE – THE SCIENCE BEHIND HOT FLUSHES AND NIGHT SWEATS
These are perhaps the most well-known of all symptoms, but they can still feel shocking in their intensity. Sudden warmth, flushed skin, racing heart and sweating are all caused by the brain’s thermostat being thrown off by hormone changes – particularly a drop in oestrogen.
Over the next four weeks, we’ll be diving deeper into the scientific and biological reasons behind each of these four symptoms and unpacking the physiological changes behind them, so you can understand why these things are happening in your body. Knowledge is power and being able to understand your symptoms and educate those around you can help you feel more supported through this transition, so stay tuned for evidence-based, empowering insights on what to expect.
Need support now?
Sage Coaching is my comprehensive online coaching program, designed specifically for perimenopausal, and menopausal women.
Designed to educate, coach, guide and support you through every phase, Sage Coaching offers real strategies for real women.
