How do I Know If I'm in Perimenopause?
One of the most common questions we hear from women approaching their mid forties? How do I know if I’m in perimenopause? And to be honest, we wish we had one straight answer for you! Because navigating your way through this transitional phase is nothing if not confusing - in no small part thanks to the myriad of symptoms that go along with it.
So how do you know if you’re actually in perimenopause, or if there are other potential causes for the way you’re feeling right now? We called on expert Laura Dowling to shed some light on this for us.
Laura is a qualified pharmacist and scientist with over 15 years experience in community pharmacy. Known online as Fabulous Pharmacist, she’s on a mission to educate and empower us all to take charge of our wellness and to live sustainably healthy lives. She’s also the founder and CEO of fabü, an award winning range of nutritional supplements designed to help you optimise your wellbeing. Oh, and she’s no stranger to chatting about the taboo topics either, aiming to always shine a light on the topics that others tend to shy away from… exactly how we like to do it here at WUKA!
Laura has spoken widely about perimenopause and the many, MANY, symptoms that might crop up, so we thought she’d be the perfect person to guide us on how we can learn more about the signs that menopause is truly on the way. Let’s dive in.
What are the main signs that I’m in perimenopause?
Just like when it comes to the first period, when exactly you’re likely to experience your last menstrual cycle is something we just cannot accurately predict. And the transition towards menopause can last for up to ten years in some cases too. Simply being over 45 really isn’t enough to determine whether or not you’re in perimenopause. So, what are the main signs to look out for?
Laura told us,
“There are many signs of perimenopause, and they vary from women to women. The symptoms can range from psychological to physical symptoms. Some women might find it begins with irregular periods, while others experience symptoms such as sleep disturbance, fatigue, panic or genital urinary symptoms. So, it really is different for everyone.
If you’re noticing these signs, it’s a good idea to speak with your GP or pharmacist, who can guide you on managing symptoms and offer appropriate treatments.”
Are all the symptoms I’m experiencing always down to perimenopause? How do I know if there’s something else going on?
Another common complaint we hear is that medical professionals can sometimes be quick to blame perimenopause when presented with symptoms. Its easy to see why some feel a little dismissed when this happens. So, how can we tell when we need a second opinion?
“Perimenopause can mimic other issues such as low thyroid and anaemia,” Laura told us. “For instance, hypothyroidism can cause hair tinning, brittle nails, weight gain, dry skin, tiredness and all those things can also be caused by perimenopause and menopause.”
So, how can we advocate for our health here, and get to the bottom of what might potentially be causing the menopause symptoms we’re experiencing?
“Blood tests are important to rule out anything like anaemia and hyperthyroidism,” Laura advises. “Blood tests will not determine peri or menopause and a doctor should go with symptoms alone unless a woman is under the age of 45.”
How do I check if I’m in perimenopause?
Ok, we know there’s no crystal ball - but are is there any way that we can safely and easily diagnose perimenopause? Sadly, despite the rumours, there really isn’t. In fact, Laura advises against investing in potentially expensive tests that might not provide the answers we’re looking for.
“Firstly, it is important that women do not waste their money on home test kits,” she told us. “There are a few on the market but they are inaccurate and frankly preying on vulnerable women.”
But surely tests done at the GP are ok?
“Even blood tests by your doctor cannot determine whether you are in perimenopause, because women’s hormones fluctuate so much during this stage of their lives,” Laura points out. “I have a symptom checker accessible to anyone linked here: symptom checker. It is also located on my Instagram page @fabulouspharmacist as a pinned post. This symptom list is not exhaustive, but is a good indicator for women who are experiencing these symptoms, who think they may have entered this stage of their lives.”
The best thing you can do if you’re experiencing symptoms? Book an appointment to chat them through with a professional.
“You should discuss these health concerns with your doctor or pharmacist,” Laura agrees. “I always say – if it affects your quality of life, you should not just put up with it. Talk to a health care professional.”
Shop menopause friendly products at WUKA
Our award winning menopause range has been designed with you in mind - because we know only too well how challenging this vital life stage can be. And because we want to you to be able to Wake Up and Kick Ass, no matter how many menopause symptoms you’re experiencing.
For hot flushes and night sweats: shop our cooling sleepwear, made from Lyocell to keep you up to 2.5° cooler while you sleep. Available as separate Jersey Sleep T-Shirt and Jersey Sleep Shorts, or as a Jersey Pyjama Set, we also have a stylish midi length Jersey T-Shirt Dress too.
For heavy and erratic periods: shop our Super Heavy period pants, designed to hold up to 12 tampons worth of blood. These pants can be worn for up to 12 hours without leaks or odours, and are your new best friend if heavy bleeding is getting you down.
For bloating and weight gain: shop our world-first multi-size Stretch™ period pants, designed to gently stretch up to 4 sizes in one pair. They’re buttery soft, like a second skin - and guarantee to fit even if you’re bloated.
For bladder weakness: shop our multi-size DryTech™ reusable incontinence pants for light leaks and dribbles. Featuring our innovative Stretch™ technology, plus Polygiene OdourCrunch
For sensitive skin: shop our Stretch™ Cotton period pants, for the ultimate in cloud-soft protection when you need it most. Adjusting gently up to four sizes in one pair, these pants are naturally hypoallergenic and perfect if skin sensitivity is an issue.
Related Posts
How Does Menopause Affect Sleep?
What Does the GenM MTick Mean?
