Is It Perimenopause? How to Recognize the Signs (and What to Do Next)

Perimenopause can feel like driving in a new country with no GPS. You’re navigating new roads, feeling disoriented and confused. You’re trying to read the signs, but it’s not clear where you should turn. And the further you go, the lower your gas tank gets. 

What makes the perimenopause journey extra difficult is that it has 30+ possible symptoms. It looks different for everyone, and it rarely announces itself clearly. For some women, perimenopause starts with disrupted sleep. For others, it’s mood changes. 

And since it often begins years before menopause itself, it’s hard to know whether your symptoms point to perimenopause or something else entirely. 

Many women sense something has changed but struggle to name it. If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. Let’s explore the signs of perimenopause and how to know when you should stop the car and ask for directions. 

What is perimenopause?

Perimenopause is the hormonal transition leading up to menopause, which is officially defined as 12 consecutive months without a period. During this phase, the body gradually shifts out of its reproductive years. Estrogen and progesterone levels begin to fluctuate. These hormonal ups and downs are what drive many perimenopause symptoms.

Since hormones don’t decline in a steady, straight line, symptoms can feel unpredictable. You might feel fine one month and completely different the next. Sleep, mood, metabolism, body temperature, and energy can all be impacted. It’s a wild ride, and an inconsistent one at that. 

Most women enter perimenopause in their 40s, but it can begin earlier or later. Some women move through the transition quickly, while others experience changes for several years before reaching menopause. It’s different for everyone, and that’s why it’s so important to know which signs to look out for. 

Common perimenopause symptoms (and why they’re hard to spot).

The problem with most perimenopause symptoms is that they feel vague. They could point to perimenopause, but they could also point to countless other causes. 

Feeling irritable? Could just be stress at work. Feeling tired? Could be a vitamin deficiency. Skipped a period? Could be an unrelated hormone imbalance. 

You get the idea. With so much uncertainty, education is key. Knowing the many signs of perimenopause can help you tune into your body and spot changes as they happen.

Common perimenopause symptoms can include:

• Irregular periods, including shorter or longer cycles, heavier or lighter bleeding, or skipped periods.

• Sleep disruption, especially waking during the night or feeling unrested.

• Mood changes, including irritability, anxiety, or depression. (Up to 70% of women experience these types of symptoms during perimenopause.)

• Hot flashes and hot flashes at night (often called night sweats). 

• Brain fog or difficulty concentrating. 

• Fatigue and lower energy. 

• Weight changes, including perimenopause weight gain, particularly around the midsection. 

• Vaginal dryness, caused by a decrease in collagen and elastin. 

Not everyone experiences all of these symptoms, and they don’t always appear at the same time. Symptoms may come and go, shift in intensity, or show up in unexpected combinations. Many also overlap with stress, burnout, or everyday life, making them easy to dismiss.

Why signs of perimenopause are often missed or misdiagnosed.

Despite the fact that more than half of the world experiences it, perimenopause is still widely misunderstood. Many women are told their symptoms are nothing—simply a part of aging or a side effect of whatever’s going on in their life. 

On top of that, menopause education has been historically limited. Many women don’t grow up learning about hormonal transitions, or hearing open conversations about it. Previous generations kept their experiences private, leaving today’s women without clear reference points for what perimenopause can look like. 

As a result, signs of menopause and perimenopause often go unrecognized for years, leaving women feeling confused or unsupported. And it has real social and economical implications. 

The Menopause Foundation of Canada reported that unmanaged symptoms linked to menopause alone cost the economy $3.6 billion annually. Similarly, a 2023 study found that missed workdays from menopause symptoms cost the United States about $1.8 billion in lost revenue each year. 

Clearly, the cost of unmanaged menopause symptoms is greater than most realize. Knowing how to confidently get the care you need can help you avoid years of question marks, and feel more in control of your symptoms. 

When to talk to your doctor (and how to advocate for yourself).

If symptoms are affecting your quality of life, it’s worth starting a conversation with a healthcare provider. You deserve to be heard and supported. Plain and simple. 

It can help to focus on patterns rather than isolated moments. Ask yourself questions like:

• How has your sleep changed over time? 

• How often are hot flashes interrupting your nights?

• How does your mood and energy feel different than it used to? 

Then take your findings to the doctor so they can have a clear understanding of symptoms and timelines. To help guide the discussion, ask directly whether symptoms could be related to perimenopause. Many women miss getting the care they need simply because the question was never asked outright. 

If your primary care provider doesn’t have answers, you can consider seeking out an OB-GYN or a practitioner with menopause-specific training. Tracking symptoms like sleep, mood, cycles, and hot flashes over time can also make appointments more productive and empowering.

Symptom support and perimenopause supplements.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to perimenopause symptoms. For many women, a combination of awareness, lifestyle changes, and targeted, natural supplements can bring relief for frustrating symptoms. 

Support often begins with the basics: consistent sleep routines, nourishing meals, and regular movement. A healthy foundation can help stabilize energy, improve mood, and strengthen resilience during hormonal shifts.

For some women, lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough. In those cases, menopause supplements or perimenopause supplements can offer additional support. Since perimenopause symptoms are often connected in a loop, triggering each other as they occur, it’s helpful to choose a supplement that targets multiple symptoms at once. 

Utiva Menopause Relief is formulated to target several symptoms at the same time, including menopause hot flashes and night sweats, mood, sleep quality, energy, and focus. Made from a blend of powerful plant extracts and free of hormones, gluten, and GMOs. It’s a gentle, natural way to support your body through perimenopause and menopause. 

Case in point: Studies show a 65% improvement in hot flashes and night sweats after 12 weeks of using Menopause Relief.

Meet perimenopause with patience and gratitude.

We know perimenopause symptoms can be disruptive, confusing, and frustrating. But they can also remind us how lucky we are to be aging. 

Embracing this natural transition with understanding, care, and a full support toolbox can feel liberating. It can make you feel more connected to yourself and the other women in your life. Best of all, it can make you feel in full control of your own car as you explore uncharted territory.

With the right education and symptom support, you can move through perimenopause with clarity, confidence, and even gratitude for this next stage of life.