Perimenopause, explained

Perimenopause is the stretch of time before your periods stop for good. It often begins in your forties, years before the average menopause age of 51 in the UK, and it can last several years.

What is happening

Your hormone levels start to shift and become less predictable. Because the change is gradual and uneven, the signs can be easy to miss or to put down to stress, work, or simply getting older.

Common signs

Sleep that breaks at 3am. A shorter fuse than usual. Brain fog where you used to feel sharp. Changes to your cycle, your mood, and your body temperature. More than thirty signs are linked to this stage, and they vary a lot from one person to the next.

When to seek help

If these changes are affecting your daily life, you do not have to wait them out alone. A clinician who focuses on menopause can help you understand what is happening and talk through your options.

This guide is general information about the perimenopause stage. It is not individual medical advice and does not recommend any specific treatment.