Signs you may be in Menopause
For many women, the journey into menopause begins not with a single dramatic moment but with a quiet collection of changes that are easy to dismiss or overlook.
Feeling a little more tired than usual. Sleeping less well. A shorter fuse than you remember having. Sound familiar?
The truth is, the menopause is one of the most significant transitions in a woman’s life yet so many of us reach it completely unprepared and utterly alone. If you’be been wondering whether what you are experiencing might be menopause, this article is for you.
What is menopause
Menopause is officially defined as the point at which you have not had a period for 12 consecutive months. The average age in the UK is 51, although it can happen earlier or later. The years leading up to this point, known as perimenopause, can begin in your early to mid forties and sometimes even earlier.
It’s during the perimenopause that most women first notice symptoms, often long before they realise what’s happening.
Signs you may be in perimenopause or menopause:
Your periods are changing - Irregular periods are often one of the first signs. They become heavier, lighter, more frequent or further apart. Any change in your usual cycle is worth paying attention to.
Sleep is becoming a struggle: Difficulty falling asleep, waking in the night or early morning waking are incredibly common during perimenopause. Poor sleep then impacts everything else including your mood, your energy and focus.
Hot flushes and night sweats: The most well known symptom is a sudden wave of heat, often accompanied by sweating and a flushed face. For some women, these are mild and occasional. For others, they are frequent and disruptive.
Mood changes: Anxiety, low mood, irritability and tearfulness can all be linked to hormonal fluctuations of perimenopause. Many women are diagnosed with anxiety or depression before anyome considers that hormones might be the root cause.
Brain fog: Difficulty concentrating, forgetting words mid sentence, feeling mentally cloudy. Brain fog is real, common and deeply frustrating, particularly for women who have always been sharp and focussed.
Fatigue: A bone deep tiredness that sleep doesn’t seem to fix. Your body is working hard through hormonal changes and it takes a real toll on your energy levels.
Changes in your skin and hair: Drier skin, hair thinning or increased hair loss can all be linked to falling oestrogen levels.
Low libido: Changes in sex drive are very common and completely normal during this time, though rarely talked about openly.
Joint aches and pains: Often overlooked as a menopause symptom, oestrogen plays a role in joint health, so as levels decline, some women experience new aches and stiffness.
Anxiety and a loss of confidence: Many women describe a sudden and unexplained dip in confidence during perimenopause, feeling less like themselves, more self conscious, more worried. This is hormonal and it is temporary.
You dont have to navigate this alone
Recognising these signs is the first step, the second is getting the right support.
At Vivala Wellness, we offer 1 to 1 women’s health and wellness coaching, supporting women through perimenopause, menopause and every stage of life in between. Through a combination of lifestyle, nutrition, mindset and personalised coaching, I help women feel like themselves again, naturally and holistically.
If any of this resonates with you - I’d love to have a conversation.
Book your free 30 minute discovery call today. No pressure, no obligation, just a warm and honest chat.