Peri-menopause brings a myriad of symptoms that affect women during this significant life stage and beyond. They can typically start from around the age of 35 when hormonal changes begin. Understanding that these changes are normal is empowering. Knowing that your changes might just be due to hormonal change, allows you take steps to intervene with HRT, lifestyle (see my Holding Back the Years membership) or diet (see my 21 Day Reset) changes. There are so many symptoms that women just don’t relate to the menopause, but once they realise can get on top of them. Let's explore the various symptoms:

Psychological Menopause Symptoms

1. Anxiety: Feelings of tension and overdrive in worries.
2. Brain Fog: confusion, forgetfulness, a lack of focus and mental clarity.
3. Concentration Difficulties: One of the earlier signs during perimenopause.
4. Confidence issues: A negative perception of self-worth and perceived value. [Also see my blog about social anxiety].
5. Don’t give a f*ck!: Can’t be bothered to care about stuff or put up with sh*t any more.
6. Forgetfulness and Memory Loss: Including unable to find words to finish sentences.
7. Irritability: Amplified irritability due to decreasing oestrogen levels.
8. Lack of motivation and enthusiasm: Can't be bothered to do things – loss of ‘get-up-and-go’.
9. Loss of Self: Not sure who you are or your purpose.
10. Low libido: Just not ever feeling sexy.
11. Mood Swings: Changes in mood or low mood. [See how to boost your mood through food]
12. Nail Changes: Dry, flaky, and bendy nails due to declining oestrogen.
13. Overwhelming Levels of PMS: Intensified PMS symptoms due to hormonal shifts.
14. Panic Attacks: Triggered by hormonal shifts, stress, and psychological factors.
15. Wanting to leave your partner: Really, really common! So try not to make rash decisions unless you are sure. It could just be your hormones.

Visible Physical Menopause Symptoms

16. Breakouts: Acne similar to puberty.
17. Changes in Breast Size: Shifts in breasts' size, shape and texture due to declining oestrogen.
18. Facial Hair Growth: New hair growth that wasn’t there before.
19. Hair Thinning: Reduced hair growth and brittleness due to hormone levels.
20. Skin changes: Dryer or more oily.
21. Weight Gain: Changes in metabolism leading to middle-weight gain.

Internal Physical Symptoms

22. Dental Problems: Dry mouth leading to tooth decay, bleeding gums and dryness.
23. Eye Dryness: Dry eyes due to reduced oestrogen and tear film maintenance.
24. Fatigue: Unexplained lack of energy compared to before.
25. New Gastrointestinal Problems & Food Intolerances: It is especially common to develop intolerance to dairy and wheat in perimenopause.
26. Headaches and Migraines: Increased intensity and frequency during perimenopause.
27. Hot flashes: short, sudden feelings of heat, usually in the face, neck and chest, which can make your skin red and sweaty. And some women just feel generally hot all the time.
28. Heart palpitations: heartbeats that suddenly become more noticeable.
29. Joint Pain: Musculoskeletal aches linked to hormone imbalances.
30. Loss of Bone Density: Osteoporosis risk suddenly increases due to decreased oestrogen levels. Post menopause 50% of women have osteopenia or osteoporosis.
31. Nausea: Occasional nausea due to hormonal fluctuations.
32. Night Sweats: Waking up in a pool of sweat.
33. Poor Exercise Recovery: Seemingly never getting rid of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) after exercise due to low oestrogen.
34. Random Body Sensations: Sudden pains or shocks due to hormone imbalances.
35. Sleep Issues & Insomnia: Disrupted sleep, often with night sweats and anxiety.
36. Stiff Muscles & Tension: Stiffness and pain often affecting sleep patterns.
37. Tinnitus: Hearing a sound that do not come from an outside source like a buzzing, humming or whistling.
38. Unusual & Unpleasant Body Odour: Increased sweat leading to unusual odours.
39. Vaginal Dryness: Reduced lubrication and discomfort due to declining oestrogen.
40. Yeast Infections and Recurring UTIs: Increased susceptibility due to hormonal changes.

Recognising and understanding these symptoms empowers women to navigate this transformative phase with confidence and support. You're not alone in this journey through menopause. Embrace the changes and celebrate your strengths within you!