Do You Really Know the Signs of Perimenopause?
Did you know that millions of women are living with perimenopause without realising it?
Research shows that more than half of women cannot identify the early signs of hormonal transition and this lack of awareness has far-reaching effects, from workplace performance to relationships and mental health.
In professional settings, symptoms such as insomnia, brain fog and mood swings can quietly erode confidence and focus, often mistaken for burnout or stress.
At home, fatigue and hormonal shifts can strain emotional connection and intimacy, while the mental health impact, including anxiety, depression and low motivation, often goes unseen or dismissed.
As we mark World Mental Health Day, it is vital to recognise that hormonal health is mental health. A 2023 study published in The Journal of Women’s Health revealed that women in perimenopause are nearly twice as likely to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety compared to premenopausal women.
Hormonal changes can affect serotonin levels, sleep quality and emotional regulation, leaving many women feeling ungrounded or overwhelmed, yet only a fraction seek or receive the support they need.
So back to peri menopausal research. According to a 2023 Lancet study, over 60% of women experience peri menopausal symptoms that significantly affect their quality of life, yet fewer than 30% receive the right diagnosis or medical support.
For many, this transition begins in the late 30s or early 40s, long before their final menstrual cycle, appearing as unexpected weight changes, dry eyes, gum sensitivity or even electric shock sensations.
These symptoms are not random, they are the body’s way of signalling recalibration. Understanding them early allows women to take back control through balanced nutrition, improved sleep, regular exercise and, more importantly, open conversations about what they’re experiencing.
Perimenopause does not just happen in the body, it reshapes how women show up in every aspect of their lives. It is time to replace silence with knowledge and stigma with strategy. Recognising this stage is not a sign of weakness, but a declaration of self-awareness and strength.
The more we normalise this conversation, the more we empower women to thrive, not just survive, through one of the most transformative chapters of their lives.
This World Mental Health Day, let’s open up the conversation, in workplaces, homes and communities. Let’s replace stigma with strategy, silence with support and confusion with clarity.
Every woman deserves to lead, live and thrive with her full mind, body and spirit intact.
How are you supporting your wellbeing or the women around you during this transition? Share your reflections, your voice might be exactly what another woman needs to hear today.
