Could this be perimenopause?

If you’ve found yourself wondering whether the changes you’re experiencing could be perimenopause, you’re certainly not alone.

A new study of more than 7,600 women aged 35 and over found that 34% were unsure of their reproductive stage.

That figure rose to 42% among women aged 40–44 and to 37% among those reporting severe symptoms.

I think that is worth paying attention to.

Because perimenopause can be confusing.

Symptoms can be physical, emotional and cognitive, and they don't necessarily arrive neatly together. You may notice changes and have no idea whether they are connected, whether they are simply part of getting older, or whether something else is going on.

In this study, 56% of the reasons given for uncertainty related to symptom confusion and attribution.

A further 28% related to gaps in knowledge and difficulty finding information.

And 16% related to barriers to confirmation and care, including dismissive healthcare experiences and reluctance to acknowledge perimenopause.

There is another important finding here.

You don't necessarily need to have significant changes to your menstrual cycle before you experience symptoms of perimenopause.

Cycle irregularity is characteristic of perimenopause, but the researchers recommend that clinicians consider the wider range of cognitive, emotional and physical changes that can occur earlier, rather than relying primarily on menstrual irregularity.

That matters because uncertainty can leave you stuck in a frustrating middle ground.

You know something has changed.

You don't quite know why.

And you don't know what you can actually do about it.

The answer isn't to assume that every symptom is perimenopause. There can be other explanations, which is why appropriate healthcare advice matters.

It is about having enough information to recognise what may be happening, ask better questions and make informed decisions about your health.

This is very much where I believe practical, evidence-based support has a role.

Not overwhelming you with another list of things you should be doing.

Not telling you that every symptom can be fixed by changing your diet.

But helping you understand the evidence around nutrition and lifestyle, identify the areas that may be relevant to you, and put practical strategies into place to support symptom management, confidence and long-term wellbeing.

You shouldn't have to become an expert in menopause before you can start looking after yourself through it.

If you're wondering whether the changes you're experiencing could be related to perimenopause, or you're simply tired of trying to work it all out on your own, drop me a message. We can have a conversation about what's happening and whether working together could help you make sense of it.