Perimenopause Plan
Language: EN

Perimenopause symptoms

Which symptoms belong to perimenopause, why do they come and go, and when should you see your doctor?

On this page

5 min read

  1. 01Why you get symptoms
  2. 02Symptoms by area
  3. 03When to see your doctor
  4. 04Keeping track of your symptoms

What you will get

  • Symptoms by area
  • When to see your doctor
01

Why you get symptoms

In perimenopause your ovaries make hormones less regularly. Oestrogen swings a lot, sometimes higher and sometimes lower than you are used to, and progesterone falls. Those swings explain why symptoms come and go and can differ from month to month.

02

Symptoms by area

There are many possible symptoms, but you will not have them all. Most women have a few, at varying strength. These are the ones that come up most often.

  • Cycle

    Your cycle gets shorter or longer, your period heavier or lighter, and sometimes it skips a month. This is often the first sign.

  • Hot flushes and night sweats

    Sudden warmth, sweating and a flushed face, by day or at night. A hot flush usually lasts a few minutes. Palpitations can happen too.

  • Sleep

    Finding it harder to fall asleep, waking more often or waking too early, even on nights without night sweats.

  • Mood

    Mood swings, irritability, anxiety or low mood, sometimes without a clear reason.

  • Focus and memory

    Forgetfulness, trouble concentrating and words you cannot find. This is also called brain fog.

  • Body

    Fatigue, aching joints and muscles, tender breasts, putting on weight around your middle more easily, dry skin or vaginal dryness, lower sex drive and needing to pee more often.

03

When to see your doctor

Many symptoms belong to this phase, but some should always be checked. Make an appointment for:

  • bleeding when you have not had a period for a year;
  • very heavy or prolonged bleeding, or bleeding between periods or after sex;
  • symptoms, or periods stopping, before you are 40;
  • low mood or anxiety that does not lift; if you have thoughts of harming yourself, get help the same day;
  • symptoms that affect your sleep, work or relationships so much that daily life suffers.
04

Keeping track of your symptoms

Because symptoms come and go, it helps to track them for a few weeks alongside your cycle and sleep. You see which symptoms weigh most, and you have something concrete to discuss with your doctor. The free self-test gives you a first overview by area.