6 symptoms leading up to menopause (perimenopause)

Menopause is a significant transition in every woman’s life, yet it remains a subject often misunderstood. Grasping the symptomer can help you navigate this natural phase in good health and with confidence.

6 key symptoms of perimenopause to look out for

Although every woman’s experience of going through menopause is unique, some symptoms are commonly reported during the transition:

1. Irregular menstrual cycles

Periods become unpredictable – shorter, longer, heavier, or lighter
Can be one of the earliest signs of hormonal shifts

2. Hot flashes and night sweats

Experiencing sudden waves of heat, often accompanied by excessive sweating
Can disrupt daily activities and sleep

3. Mood swings and emotional shifts

Increased anxiety, irritability, or depression
Emotional sensitivity due to fluctuating hormone levels

4. Trouble sleeping

Insomnia or frequent nighttime awakenings
Often linked to hormonal changes and night sweats

5. Vaginal dryness and discomfort

Reduced estrogen levels cause thinning and dryness of vaginal tissues
Can lead to discomfort during intercourse and increased urinary tract infections

6. Low energy and fatigue

Persistent tiredness despite getting enough sleep
May be linked to poor sleep and hormonal imbalances

Menopause symptoms that are often overlooked

Many women and even healthcare professionals dismiss symptoms of (peri)menopause, mistaking them for unrelated health issues. For example, symptoms such as brain fog, joint pain, changes in body odor, and sudden shifts in digestion can all stem from hormonal imbalances.

Moreover, society tends to associate menopause with aging, but the reality is that hormonal transitions can begin as early as the 30s. Additionally, external factors like stress, trauma, medications, or medical treatments (such as chemotherapy or hysterectomy) can accelerate or trigger early menopause.
Since symptoms often appear gradually, many women fail to connect them to hormonal changes and may attribute them to stress, lifestyle factors, or other health conditions.

The 4 stages of menopause

Many women experience subtle hormonal changes long before they officially reach menopause. From the first signs of hormonal shifts to postmenopause, your reproductive system goes through several stages, each marked by unique symptoms and experiences.

1. Premenopause

Premenopause refers to the entire span of a woman’s reproductive years, from the onset of menstruation (menarche) until the first noticeable signs of perimenopause. During this time:

Hormonal cycles occur regularly
Fruktbarhet is intact
No menopausal symptoms are present

2. Perimenopause: the transitional stage

Perimenopause is usually the most challenging stage of menopause. It often starts much sooner than many women realize, typically beginning in the 30s or 40s and lasting anywhere from a few years to a decade. Hormonal fluctuations become more pronounced, leading to common symptoms that include:

Irregular menstrual cycles (shorter, longer, heavier, or lighter than usual)
Sudden hot flashes and night sweats
Mood swings and increased angst
Sleep disturbances
Decreased libido and vaginal dryness

3. Menopause

Technically, menopause lasts only one day – the day a woman has gone 12 months without a menstrual period. This milestone marks the end of fertility, although perimenopause symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness may persist.

4. Postmenopause: the new normal

In the postmenopause phase, hormonal levels remain lower but stabilize, and some (pre)menopausal symptoms decrease. New health concerns may arise, though, due to lower estrogen levels, such as:

Increased risk of osteoporosis
Greater likelihood of cardiovascular disease
Changes in vaginal and urinary health

How to deal with menopause

Understanding your body’s signals and making healthy choices can help ease the transition. Here are a few ways to support hormonal balance during perimenopause and beyond:

Prioritize sleep: establish a bedtime routine and limit screen time before bed.
Adopt a balanced diet: a sunt kosthold that includes foods rich in phytoestrogens, such as flaxseeds and soy, supports hormone regulation.
Stay active: regular trening helps stabilize your mood and reduces the risk of osteoporosis.
Practice stress management: mindfulness, meditation, and deep breathing exercises can be highly beneficial.
Seek professional support: biofeedback-økter can help identify physiological imbalances and teach you personalized stress relief and relaxation techniques.

Listening to your body is key

Women are often conditioned to push through discomfort and prioritize the needs of others over their own well-being. However, this transition is an invitation for you to shift that mindset – to listen to your body, honor its changes, and embrace the self-love and self-care you deserve.