What Is Perimenopause? And How Do I Know If I’m In It?
Perimenopause isn’t something that happens overnight, it’s a gradual hormonal shift that can start years before your period officially ends.
If you’re in your 40s and starting to notice that your emotions, energy, or body just don’t feel the same, you might be wondering, Is this perimenopause?
The short answer: yes, it could be.
Perimenopause is the transition phase leading up to menopause, when your hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone begin to fluctuate in unpredictable ways. These changes can influence everything from your mood and metabolism to your sleep, cycles, and ability to handle stress.
For me, it started quietly. At 46, I began crying for no reason, getting irritated over small things, and feeling like I’d lost the resilience I once had. My gynecologist handed me a prescription for an antidepressant and suggested I find a good therapist. But I knew deep down there was more to it.
Looking back, I realize my body had been whispering years before it started shouting. In my early 40s, I had occasional night sweats, restless nights right before my period, and a strange wave of sadness on the last day of my cycle. All of it, the sleeplessness, the mood dips, the emotional sensitivity was connected to hormonal fluctuations. I just didn’t know it yet.
Let’s unpack what’s really happening and how you can make sense of it.
Q: What is perimenopause, exactly?
A: Perimenopause literally means “around menopause.” It’s the natural biological transition when your ovaries gradually reduce estrogen and progesterone production the two key hormones that regulate your menstrual cycle, brain chemistry, and overall sense of well-being.
This transition can last anywhere from four to ten years, and the average woman starts noticing symptoms in her early-to-mid 40s, though some feel changes as early as their 30s. You’re considered in menopause once you’ve gone twelve months without a period.
Q: What are the first signs I might be in perimenopause?
A: The first signs can be subtle, often showing up emotionally or physically long before your period changes. Common early symptoms include:
Mood swings or feeling emotionally sensitive
Crying easily or feeling less resilient
Period changes, shorter, longer, heavier, or missed cycles
Hot flashes or night sweats
Insomnia, especially before your period
Vaginal dryness or discomfort
Brain fog or forgetfulness
Heart palpitations
Migraines or tension headaches
Breast tenderness or bloating
Lower libido
These symptoms can come and go because your hormone levels fluctuate day to day. Tracking them helps you see patterns — what’s random and what’s cyclical.
That’s exactly what my free Perimenopause Action Plan is designed for. It walks you through how to track symptoms, recognize patterns, and prepare for more productive conversations with your doctor.
Q: Why didn’t my doctor mention perimenopause?
A: You’re not imagining it, most women say their doctors never brought up perimenopause.
This gap exists because women’s midlife hormone health has been under-represented in medical research and training. Many providers still focus only on menopause itself or assume hormonal changes happen all at once.
As a result, women are often prescribed antidepressants, birth control pills, or told it’s “just stress.” While those treatments can help some symptoms, they don’t address the hormonal imbalances driving what you’re experiencing.
This is why advocacy matters. When you understand what’s happening in your body and arrive with symptom tracking and clear questions, you shift the conversation from “maybe it’s anxiety” to “let’s talk about hormone fluctuations.” The Perimenopause Action Plan gives you the structure to do exactly that.
Q: What’s happening inside my body during this time?
A: Think of perimenopause as a hormonal roller coaster, estrogen and progesterone levels no longer follow predictable patterns. Some months, estrogen surges higher than normal; other months, it plummets. Those ups and downs affect nearly every system in your body.
Brain: Estrogen supports serotonin and dopamine, chemicals tied to mood, motivation, and focus. When estrogen dips, you can feel anxious, emotional, or mentally foggy. It also influences temperature regulation and sleep, which explains night sweats and 3 a.m. wake-ups.
Heart and Circulation: Fluctuating estrogen can cause brief heart palpitations and impact cholesterol and blood pressure.
Metabolism: Changes in estrogen and progesterone can alter how your body stores fat and regulates blood sugar, often leading to midsection weight gain even without diet changes.
Reproductive System: Your ovaries may skip ovulation or release eggs irregularly, leading to unpredictable cycles, heavier bleeding, or spotting.
Nervous System: Hormone shifts heighten your stress response, which is why things that once rolled off your back can suddenly feel overwhelming.
These aren’t signs that you’re falling apart, they’re signs your body is recalibrating.
Understanding these connections helps you work with your body, not against it. That’s why knowledge is your greatest relief tool, not a new supplement or diet.
Q: So how do I start feeling like myself again?
A: Awareness is step one. Once you understand your symptoms are hormonally driven, you can stop blaming yourself and start supporting your body in new ways.
Track your symptoms. Use the Perimenopause Action Plan to notice patterns and triggers.
Learn what’s normal. Knowledge helps you recognize when to seek care or ask about options like hormone therapy.
Build a supportive care team. Choose providers who listen, validate, and treat the whole picture.
Focus on small, sustainable habits. Prioritize sleep, strength training, balanced meals, and stress reduction.
You can also take my Quiz below to find out what support your body is craving right now as you are going through this transition.
Ready to Feel Informed and Empowered?
Perimenopause doesn’t have to feel like a mystery.
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Each week, you’ll get:
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And don’t forget to grab your free Perimenopause Action Plan to start understanding your hormones and preparing for empowered conversations with your doctor.
You deserve clarity. You deserve validation. And you deserve to feel like you again.
Hi I’m Dr. Jaime Lynne
A women’s health advocate and educator passionate about helping women navigate the confusing and often overlooked journey of perimenopause. Through my work and resources, I empower women to recognize their symptoms, speak up, and get the care they deserve.
