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As board-certified OB/GYNs, we often hear the following words from our patients:

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I can’t sleep, I am gaining weight, I can’t remember anything and cannot focus… I feel like I am going crazy!

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Some of them, thanks to a helpful Instagram post or TikTok they saw on their feed, immediately ask us with some confidence:

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Is this perimenopause?

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But here’s the funny thing: if they had asked this very same question 5 years ago, so many patients would’ve received slow blinks from their providers.

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That’s why we’re here to tell you: Yes, IT IS perimenopause.

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And it is more REAL than you can imagine.

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So, what is perimenopause?

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Perimenopause is the stage before menopause, during which you can still have a period, but your body is already experiencing hormonal changes and symptoms of menopause. Perimenopause can last until you’ve been without periods for an entire year — which is what we know as menopause.

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(Yes: perimenopause and menopause aren’t the same thing!)

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We used to think perimenopause normally began 1 to 2 years before menopause, which for most patients was around 48 or 49 years old. However, after seeing so many patients for years, we’ve found out it’s likely much earlier — and it can last much longer!

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I like to describe perimenopause to patients as a transition period that can start in your late 30’s. At this point, you may still have periods (which means you’re still able to get pregnant), and you may not even have the classic hot flashes or night sweats associated with menopause. However… there are some parts of your body that are already saying menopause is coming!!!

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Common symptoms of perimenopause

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What does this look like? Vaginal dryness, insomnia, brain fog, libido changes, and mood changes (OMG, the mood changes). It can be anxiety before bed, panic attacks when you’ve never had them before, spiraling while driving, depression spells, or severe annoyance with your partner (who you still love).

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That’s what we’ve heard a thousand times: I feel like I am losing my mind.

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Oh, and just so you know: perimenopause can affect your whole body. Your once-regular periods may skip cycles or cause random bleeding. You may exercise daily yet still gain weight. In fact, there are a ton of weird perimenopause symptoms, ranging from a burning tongue sensation or a change in body odor, to even a disappearing clitoris (we’ll revisit this later — promise).

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Managing perimenopause and getting support

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Here’s the good news: perimenopause doesn’t have to be that hard.
As challenging as this may sound, your best years aren’t coming to an end — this is just the beginning of a new era of you. An era of self-discovery, acceptance, and kindness toward yourself.

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So this is us saying… Welcome to perimenopause.
It is a natural transition of womanhood, where we become wiser, stronger, and honestly, care a lot less about the little things. Our job at Gliss is to help you during your perimenopause journey, because you don’t have to suffer through it — instead, let’s navigate the plot twists together.

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Want help with your perimenopause symptoms? Book a 15-min FREE virtual consultation with us to see if we’re the right fit for your menopause care.

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You can also visit our Services page to explore our perimenopause and menopause care packages!

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