Is This Perimenopause? The Subtle Symptoms Most Women Miss

You don’t feel like yourself - but you can’t quite explain why. 

Maybe you’re more tired than usual. Or your moods are all over the place. Or your periods are… weird. You’ve even had blood tests and they came back “normal.” You might be wondering, is something wrong with me? Or heard whispers about similar issues and are quietly thinking: Could this be perimenopause?

If so, you’re not alone. Many women go years without realising their symptoms are hormone-related - simply because no one told them what to look for. Let’s take a closer look at the subtle signs most women miss.

 “I didn’t even think of perimenopause...”

One of our clients told us she’d been feeling off for months - more tired, irritable, not sleeping well and her periods were starting to get weird. She thought maybe it was stress, maybe thyroid, maybe she just needed a break. Her doctor ran some bloods, but they came back “normal.”

No one mentioned perimenopause - she thought she was way too young for that. It wasn’t until she stumbled across an article about perimenopause that she finally started connecting the dots. She booked a Menopause Assessment with us and finally got the clarity and support she needed. Her story is incredibly common.

What is perimenopause?

Perimenopause is the transition phase leading up to menopause (menopause being just 1 day - 12 months after your last period if you are cycling) and post menopause every day afterwards for the rest of your life. During the perimenopause phase, hormones like oestrogen and progesterone start to fluctuate (sometimes wildly). This can begin anywhere from your late 30s to mid-40s and last for several years (for some women up to 10 years). Menopause is a single day. Perimenopause is a whole messy chapter. 

6 subtle signs of perimenopause (you might not have connected yet) 

You don’t need all of these to be “officially” in perimenopause - but they’re common red flags worth paying attention to.

1. Your periods are changing

• They may come closer together, get heavier, or suddenly skip a month.

• A regular cycle doesn’t mean you’re not in perimenopause as changes can be subtle at first.

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2. Your sleep’s gone haywire

• Waking at 3am for no reason? Struggling to fall asleep despite being exhausted?

• Hormonal shifts can disrupt sleep - even before hot flushes show up.

  
  

3. Mood swings or anxiety have crept in

• You may feel more irritable, overwhelmed, or tearful than usual.

• This isn’t “just stress” - hormones play a key role in mood regulation.

  
  

4. Your energy and motivation have dropped

• If you’re feeling flat, foggy or not quite yourself, it could be hormonal and not burnout.

• Perimenopause can impact focus, memory and drive.

  
  

5. You’re noticing changes in your body

• You might notice weight gain (especially around the middle) without changing anything.

• Sore joints, dry skin or hair changes are common but rarely talked about.

6. It's dry 'down there' and sex feels different

• Vaginal dryness, low libido, or discomfort with sex can sneak up during perimenopause.

• You’re not imagining it and you don’t have to just put up with it.

It doesn’t look the same for everyone 

What makes perimenopause so confusing is that your biology can start shifting before you even realise what’s going on. Symptoms often show up gradually, overlap with other life stressors, or just feel... subtle but off. And no two women will experience it the same way. Some glide through with minor changes (but still need to consider their overall health – particularly bone density and heart health). Others feel like they’ve been hit by a hormonal freight train. Both are valid and both deserve support.

You’re not too young — and you’re not imagining it 

Perimenopause can feel like someone’s secretly swapped your body. One day you’re powering through life, the next you’re crying at a coffee ad and snapping at your partner for breathing too loudly. It’s confusing, confronting and often dismissed. But there are answers. You deserve support, and there are ways to feel like yourself again.

Ready for real answers? We’re here when you are. If any of this sounds familiar, we’re here to help. Book a Peri Assessment to get clear answers and expert support - no judgment, no guesswork. Better is possible Sharon & Tania, Co-Founders Midlife Women’s Clinic