Right, so everyone talks about menopause like it’s this big mysterious “thing” that happens somewhere in the future, maybe when you’re ancient, or possibly when you’ve just got your life sorted out. But there’s this sneaky little phase before that called perimenopause, and honestly, it’s kind of like the warm-up act your body throws before the main event… except the band sounds a bit out of tune, and the lighting keeps flickering, and you’re left wondering what on earth just happened.
If you’re scratching your head thinking, “Wait, perimenopause? What’s that? Is it a disease? A new yoga pose? A type of cake?”. No, it’s none of those, but it is a time when your hormones decide to do their own thing, just to keep life interesting.
What happens during perimenopause?
Well, your ovaries, which have been busy making hormones like estrogen and progesterone for years, start to slow down. But they don’t just switch off like a light. Oh no, they go all “maybe today, maybe not” with hormone levels, sending your body on a weird emotional and physical rollercoaster.
This means your periods might go rogue, coming late, skipping completely, or showing up in weird amounts. One month it’s a heavy flood, the next it’s a “did I even get a period?” kind of mystery. It’s like your uterus is playing a game of hide-and-seek.
But wait, there’s more!
Alongside the period madness, you might get some bonus symptoms thrown in, like:
- Hot flashes that make you feel like you’re suddenly stuck in the Sahara desert
- Mood swings that make you cry at a cute puppy video… then want to throw the TV out the window five minutes later
- Sleep that decides to become a mythical creature, you know it exists, but it’s really hard to catch
- Brain fog where you forget simple things like where you put your keys, your phone, or your own name sometimes (okay, maybe not the last one, but close enough)
- Skin and hair changes that have you staring at your reflection, wondering who that tired person is
How long does this hormonal circus last?
Good question. It could be a quick gig, a couple of years, or the full-on festival that drags on for up to ten years. Honestly, it’s like your body’s own never-ending reality TV show, and you never quite know what’s coming next.
Why should you care?
Because understanding perimenopause means you can stop blaming yourself for feeling like you’ve lost your marbles, start making choices that help your body through the madness, and maybe even laugh a little along the way.
What’s next?
Over the next few weeks, I’m going to be diving into all the messy, weird, annoying, and sometimes downright hilarious realities of perimenopause and menopause. Think of it as your slightly kooky, friendly guide through the hormonal chaos.
Got questions or weird symptoms you want to share? Drop them here. I’m here for all the weird and wonderful stories.
Buckle up, it’s going to be a bumpy, hot-flashy, brain-foggy ride, but we’ll get through it together. Promise.
Take care, stay safe.
Becks xo
My life and style over 40 