Perimenopause First Symptoms: What to Do When You Notice the Signs

What Are the First Signs of Perimenopause?

Perimenopause rarely announces itself with a single obvious symptom. It tends to creep in gradually, and many women look back and realise they had been experiencing symptoms for a year or two before they made the connection. Common early signs include changes in your menstrual cycle (longer, shorter, heavier, or lighter periods), disrupted sleep even when you feel tired, new or worsened anxiety, increased irritability around your cycle, and occasional hot flashes or night sweats. Brain fog and joint aches are also frequently reported early symptoms.

Why Early Symptoms Are Often Missed or Misattributed

The average woman spends years experiencing perimenopause symptoms before receiving a diagnosis. Early symptoms are frequently attributed to stress, burnout, depression, or simply aging. They can be easy to dismiss individually, but taken together they form a recognisable pattern. Understanding that perimenopause can begin in the late 30s and mid-40s, not just in the run-up to your 50s, is important context. You do not have to wait until your periods become irregular to acknowledge what is happening.

Start Keeping a Record Right Away

The single most useful thing you can do when you first notice symptoms is start tracking them. Write down what you experience and when, including cycle dates, sleep quality, mood shifts, and any physical symptoms. This record is invaluable when you see a doctor because it turns a vague account of feeling off into a clear pattern. The PeriPlan app is designed for exactly this. You can log symptoms and track patterns over time, which makes your own experience legible both to you and to any healthcare provider you see.

When to See Your GP

You do not need to wait until symptoms are severe to see your GP. If you are experiencing symptoms that are affecting your quality of life, your sleep, your work, or your relationships, that is reason enough to make an appointment. Go prepared with your symptom log. Be specific: how often, how severe, how long. Ask directly about perimenopause and whether your symptoms fit the picture. Many GPs are now much better informed about perimenopause than they were five years ago, but you may still need to advocate for yourself.

What to Ask Your Doctor About

Build Your Support System Now

Perimenopause can last anywhere from two to twelve years. Getting support in place early makes the journey considerably more manageable. This might mean finding a GP or specialist who takes your symptoms seriously, connecting with other women going through the same experience, and making lifestyle adjustments that support your hormonal health. The women who navigate perimenopause most confidently are typically those who sought information and support early rather than waiting until symptoms became overwhelming.