What are 34 symptoms of perimenopause?

You will find more information on symptoms and how to manage them on the symptom checker here.

1. Hot Flushes

Hot flushes are sudden feelings of intense heat that spread over the body, often accompanied by redness and sweating. These are commonly triggered by decreasing estrogen levels and severe hot flushes can be linked to increased risks of cardiovascular disease.

2. Night Sweats

Night sweats are episodes of excessive sweating during sleep, related to a decrease in oestrogen. They can disrupt sleep significantly, sometimes necessitating changes of bedding or clothing. Some have sweats in the daytime also.

3. Sleep Disturbances

Perimenopause can bring about various sleep issues, including trouble falling asleep, waking up frequently, and early morning awakenings, often exacerbated by night sweats and increased nighttime urination.

4. Brain Fog

Cognitive difficulties such as poor concentration, memory lapses, and trouble multitasking can occur, impacting daily functioning and work performance.

5. Vaginal Dryness

Lower estrogen levels can lead to vaginal dryness, causing discomfort, itching, painful intercourse, plus urinary issues also.

6. Bloating

Changes to the digestive system during perimenopause can result in bloating and constipation, often requiring dietary adjustments to help manage this symptom. You should always see a doctor to discuss persistent bloating.

7. Hair Loss

Hormonal changes can cause thinning hair on the scalp, increased facial hair, and more brittle, fragile hair.

8. Weight Gain

Weight gain during perimenopause is often due to hormonal shifts and a slower metabolism, with fat accumulating more in the abdominal area and loss of muscle mass can contribute also.

9. Mood Swings and Irritability

Sudden changes in mood, including anger, sadness, or frustration, are common and often linked to hormonal change, stress, and poor sleep.

10. Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Anxiety symptoms can include restlessness, difficulty concentrating, and physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat and chest pain, driven by hormonal impacts on stress regulation.

11. Breast Pain

Breast tenderness, especially during certain phases of the menstrual cycle, is common. While usually benign, persistent pain should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

12. Digestive Issues

Symptoms like flatulence, nausea, and abdominal discomfort can arise from hormonal influences on the digestive system.

13. Irregular Periods

Menstrual cycles may become unpredictable in terms of frequency and flow, signaling the approach of menopause.

14. Decreased Libido

Reduced sexual desire may result from hormonal changes affecting arousal and pleasure, potentially leading to a diminished interest in sexual activity.

15. Urinary Incontinence

Weakened pelvic floor muscles due to low estrogen levels can lead to stress incontinence or overactive bladder symptoms.

16. Bone Loss

Decreasing estrogen levels accelerate bone loss, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

17. Skin and Hair Changes

Dry, itchy skin, hormonal acne, and changes in hair texture are common, with hair thinning or increased facial hair growth.

18. Heavy Periods

An imbalance between estrogen and progesterone can cause a thickened uterine lining, leading to heavier and longer periods. Always speak to a doctor if there is a significant change in bleeding, if there is bleeding in between periods and if there is bleeding after sex.

19. Muscle and Joint Pain

Loss of muscle mass and cartilage degradation can lead to joint pain and muscle aches, often exacerbated by reduced estrogen levels.

20. Infertility

As ovulation becomes less frequent, fertility declines. Contraception is still necessary until menopause is confirmed. Discuss when to stop using contraception with a doctor.

21. Low Energy and fatigue

Fluctuating hormones, sleep disturbances, lifestyle changes and metabolic changes can all contribute to chronic fatigue.

22. Nail Changes

Nails may become more brittle and prone to breakage, reflecting broader changes in skin and hair health.

23. Lower libido

Loss of libido can occur as a result of vaginal symptoms and painful or uncomfortable sex. It may occur as a direct effect of change in hormone levels, or as an indirect effect of fatigue, mood changes, loss of motivation and relationship issues.

24. Dizziness

Hormonal changes can affect blood pressure and glucose levels, causing dizzy spells or light-headedness.

25. Bacterial Vaginosis

Lower estrogen levels can alter vaginal flora, increasing susceptibility to bacterial vaginosis, which may require medical antibiotic treatment.

26. Formication and changes to skin sensation

The sensation of crawling skin, known as formication, can be a distressing symptom during perimenopause.

27. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) and bladder symptoms

Reduced estrogen impacts the urinary tract’s health, making infections more common due to a less protective vaginal environment.

28. Painful Periods

At times, in the perimenopause, changes in hormone levels can lead to higher levels of prostaglandins, causing more intense menstrual cramps.

29. Gum and Dental Issues

Hormonal changes can affect oral health, leading to gum disease, increased sensitivity, and a higher risk of tooth decay.

30. Tinnitus

Hormonal change can result in tinnitus which is the perception or hallucination of noise when no external sound is perceptible. Tinnitus can take many forms such as buzzing, ringing, roaring, whistling, clicking – it’s whatever the person describes it to be and is unique to them.

31. Irregular Heartbeat

Palpitations and arrhythmias may occur due to hormonal effects on heart rate regulation, warranting medical evaluation if persistent.

32. Burning Mouth Syndrome

A burning sensation in the mouth, often described as tingling or numbness, can be an uncomfortable symptom of perimenopause.

33. Changes to the immune system

Perimenopause may increase susceptibility to autoimmune diseases, potentially exacerbating conditions like thyroid disorders and rheumatoid arthritis. Some women suffer from allergies for the first time in the menopause transition.

34. Headaches

Hormonal changes can trigger or worsen headaches, including migraines, particularly during certain phases of the menstrual cycle and in the perimenopause.

Conclusion

Perimenopause presents a variety of symptoms due to hormonal changes. Awareness and understanding of these symptoms are essential for effective management, and seeking medical advice helps ensure other conditions are ruled out.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.