What age does perimenopause start?

Perimenopause commonly begins in the mid-40s but can start earlier. It is defined by the years of hormonal change leading up to menopause, which is confirmed 12 months after a woman's last period.

What are the first signs of perimenopause?

Early signs often include changes to the menstrual cycle, disrupted sleep, mood shifts, brain fog, and changes in energy — frequently before hot flushes appear.

Understanding Perimenopause: What Your Body Is Telling You

Perimenopause can begin years before menopause itself — and because the signs are easy to dismiss, many women spend a long time wondering what is happening to their bodies. This is a plain-language guide to the hormonal shift beneath the symptoms, and what genuinely helps.

What is perimenopause?

Perimenopause is the transition leading up to menopause, when hormone levels — particularly oestrogen and progesterone — begin to fluctuate. It is a natural stage, not an illness, but the fluctuations can affect sleep, mood, energy and the menstrual cycle long before periods stop.

What are the early signs?

The first signals are often subtle: changes to cycle length, broken sleep, low mood or anxiety, brain fog, and shifts in energy. Hot flushes, the symptom most people associate with menopause, frequently arrive later.

What actually helps?

A whole-person approach works best: supporting sleep and the nervous system, nourishing the body well, managing stress, and getting individualised guidance rather than one-size-fits-all advice. For many women, understanding what is happening is itself a relief — it replaces fear with clarity.

If you’d like personalised support, get in touch with Fiona.