Perimenopause Symptoms
Perimenopause is natural. But the symptoms can feel anything but. Hormonal shifts during this time can affect nearly every part of your wellbeing - from sleep and mood to skin, digestion, energy and weight balance. For some women, symptoms appear gradually; for others, they arrive suddenly and can feel unpredictable or overwhelming.
Perimenopause isn’t just about hot flushes. In fact there's over 34 possible symptoms of perimenopause. You may notice irritability, anxiety, mood swings, cravings, bloating, headaches, cycle changes, night sweats, joint discomfort or struggling to recover from stress. These changes are not in your head, they’re reflections of the complex hormonal transitions happening in your body.
This guide explores why perimenopause symptoms vary so much, what might influence your experience and how nutrition and lifestyle support can help you navigate this season with more steadiness and confidence.
How perimenopause can impact you
Everyone's perimenopause journey is different. Some experience only mild symptoms, while others notice significant changes to their mood, cycle, sleep and overall wellbeing. This variation happens because hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause are not linear. Levels of oestrogen and progesterone can rise and fall significantly and unpredictably from month to month. It's one giant hormanal rollercoaster ride.
Your symptoms are also influenced by factors such as stress, sleep quality, nutrition, thyroid function, blood sugar balance, gut health and your personal sensitivity to hormonal changes. Two women the same age can have completely different experiences because their bodies, histories and lifestyles are different.
Why do I have these symptoms?
There's a huge amount of contibuting factors to the variety of perimenopause symptoms you may be experiencing. The most common ones are:
Fluctuating oestrogen and progesterone
Blood sugar instability
Unchecked stress
Nutrient deficiencies
Gut health problems
Inflammation
Reduced muscle mass (which has a big impact on our metabolism)
Changes in thyroid function
Irregular meal timing
Perimenopause support
Working with a qualified Nutritional Therapist can be a great way to navigate perimenopause. A personalised programme with me sees us working together for a period of three months. During this time we explore your symptoms, and what might be driving your lack of energy, low mood, poor digestion, disturbed sleep, stress tolerance, appetite, weight gain and anxiety. We'll take practical steps to address these through diet, lifestyle, exercise and targeted supplements to help you have a smoother transition to menopause.
When to speak to your GP
You should speak to your GP if you experience very heavy bleeding, bleeding between periods, sudden cycle changes, severe pelvic pain, symptoms that interfere significantly with daily life, or anything that feels unusual for you. Medical guidance is also important if mood symptoms become persistent or overwhelming, or if you are unsure whether your symptoms are related to perimenopause.
Nutrition can work alongside medical support, but it should not replace appropriate investigation or treatment.
Book a free call with me
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, uncomfortable or unsure how to support your changing body then reach out to me. Together we can explore what’s contributing to your perimenopause symptoms and create a personalised, supportive approach to help you feel more balanced and stable.
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