Signs you’re in perimenopause (Even if no one told you yet)

Signs you’re in perimenopause (Even if no one told you yet)

Have you been feeling off lately, but can’t quite put your finger on why? Maybe you’re snapping at loved ones over small things, your sleep has turned erratic, or your jeans feel tighter even though nothing else has changed.

If you're a woman in your late 30s, 40s or early 50s, there's a good chance you're not imagining it, and you’re not alone.

These could be signs of perimenopause: the transitional phase before menopause that can begin years before your period officially stops. The twist? Most women are never told what to look out for, and many dismiss their symptoms as stress, ageing, or “just life.”

Let’s change that.

What Is Perimenopause, Exactly?

Perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause when your hormones start to fluctuate, sometimes wildly. It can last anywhere from a few months to over 10 years and typically begins in your 40s (but can start earlier).

During this phase, estrogen and progesterone, two key reproductive hormones, begin to rise and fall unpredictably. This hormonal rollercoaster can affect everything from your mood to your metabolism, and your sleep to your cycle.

Subtle (and Not-So-Subtle) Signs You Might Be in Perimenopause

1. Your Sleep Has Gone Off the Rails

  • You wake up at 3am for no reason.
  • You’re tossing and turning more than usual.
  • Even after 8 hours, you still feel tired.

Hormonal changes, particularly dips in progesterone (a calming hormone), can disrupt your ability to fall and stay asleep.

2. Your Periods Have Changed

  • They’re heavier. Or lighter. Or both.
  • Cycles are shorter, longer, or totally unpredictable.
  • PMS symptoms are more intense than ever.

Irregular periods are one of the most common, and confusing, signs of perimenopause.

3. Mood Swings or Anxiety That Came Out of Nowhere

  • You feel more emotional, irritable, or anxious than usual.
  • Small things suddenly feel overwhelming.
  • You cry or snap more easily, even when you don’t want to.

Estrogen affects serotonin, the feel-good brain chemical. When estrogen dips, so can your mood.

4. Weight Gain, Especially Around the Belly

  • You haven’t changed your diet or activity, but your clothes fit differently.
  • Belly fat is harder to lose than it used to be.

This isn’t just about calories. It’s about hormonal shifts, insulin resistance, and stress.

5. New Sensitivities to Foods, Caffeine, or Alcohol

  • Bloating, reflux, or digestive discomfort have become more common.
  • Caffeine hits harder, or makes you anxious.
  • A single glass of wine gives you a headache or hot flush.

Fluctuating hormones can alter how your body handles food, alcohol, and even stress.

6. You Don’t Feel Like “You” Anymore

  • Your confidence feels shaky.
  • You’ve lost motivation or joy for things you used to love.
  • You feel flat, foggy, or just not yourself.

Many women describe a kind of identity shift in perimenopause, a quiet loss of connection to their old selves. It’s not talked about enough, but it’s very real.

Why These Signs Often Get Missed

Because perimenopause isn’t something most of us are taught about. Many health professionals focus on menopause itself (which is just one day, 12 months after your final period), leaving women unsupported in the years leading up to it.

Symptoms get dismissed as stress, ageing, or lifestyle-related. And since blood hormone tests can be unreliable during this time (levels fluctuate daily), women are often told “everything looks normal.”

But if you don’t feel normal, that matters.

What You Can Do If You Think You're in Perimenopause

Get Educated

Understanding what’s happening is empowering. You’re not broken, you’re transitioning.

Support Your Body Naturally

Focus on:

  • Balanced meals to support blood sugar and hormone balance
  • Regular, restorative movement (like walking, Pilates or yoga)
  • Nervous system support through breathwork, meditation or journaling
  • Prioritising sleep and stress reduction

Don’t Wait Until It Gets Worse

You don’t need to be “bad enough” to get support. Early intervention can make a huge difference in how you move through this season of life.

Ready to Feel Like Yourself Again?

If any of this sounds like you, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to keep pushing through. Sometimes all it takes is a conversation with someone who gets it and can help you piece together what your body is really asking for.

Click below to chat about where you're at and what small shifts can help you feel more like yourself again.

Book a discovery call