Early Signs of Perimenopause
Because perimenopause can begin gradually (or abruptly, if you’ve had a hysterectomy), it’s common to miss the early signs or to chalk them up to stress, aging, or lifestyle changes. But when you know what to look for, you can start making choices to support your body through this transition.
Common early signs include:
- Irregular periods: Cycles may become shorter, longer, heavier, or lighter
- Mood swings: Irritability, anxiety, or depressive symptoms can increase
- Sleep changes: Difficulty falling or staying asleep, or night sweats
- Fatigue: Feeling tired more often, even after rest
- Hot flashes: Sudden warmth or flushing, especially at night
- Vaginal dryness: Discomfort during intercourse or increased urinary urgency
- Decreased libido: Changes in sexual desire or arousal
- Brain fog: Difficulty concentrating or remembering details
Everyone’s experience is different. Some women have only mild symptoms, while others find that perimenopause affects their day-to-day life more significantly.
How Hormonal Testing Works
If you suspect you may be entering perimenopause, you may wonder whether there’s a test to confirm it. While blood tests for hormone levels such as estrogen, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and progesterone can provide some insight, they aren’t always conclusive. That’s because hormone levels can fluctuate widely, even within the same week.
Your provider at My OBGYNE may use a combination of approaches to evaluate where you are in the transition:
- Detailed symptom history
- Menstrual cycle tracking
- Blood work to assess hormone levels and rule out other conditions
- Thyroid testing, since thyroid disorders can mimic perimenopause
