How to know if I'm in perimenopause? What science shows
1 in 3 Women Don't Know If They Are in Perimenopause
By Vanessa Manfredini | Biomedical Scientist and Future Nutritionist
Are you over 35 and feeling different, but can't tell if it's perimenopause, stress, or "just tiredness"? 🌸 Don't worry: you're not alone, and science has just proven it. Come understand with me! 🌿
"Not knowing what's happening with your own body is the most silent symptom of this phase."
What science has just shown 📊
A study published this month in The Menopause Society's scientific journal revealed a significant finding: about one in three women over 35 doesn't know if they are in perimenopause or not. And the reason isn't distraction. According to the study, this uncertainty stems from two things: a lack of clear information and difficulty accessing adequate care.
Why is it so hard to know? 🤔
Here's the core of the issue. Unlike pregnancy, perimenopause doesn't have a test that gives a positive or negative result. Hormones fluctuate a lot during this phase, so an isolated test can confuse more than help. Recognition is primarily clinical, meaning it's done by the doctor looking at the whole picture: your age, your symptoms, and your menstrual pattern.
And there's another detail that confuses many people: symptoms can appear before menstruation becomes irregular. In other words, a woman can be right in the middle of the transition and still menstruate regularly every month.
It's not just hot flashes 🔥
When we think of menopause, we think of hot flashes. But a recent survey of over 17,000 women from 158 countries showed a different reality. The most reported symptoms were:
😤 Irritability
💭 Low mood and anxiety
🌙 Poor sleep
🫃 Digestive discomforts
Notice? The list is led by tiredness and emotional symptoms, not heat. And that's precisely why so many women spend years thinking they have burnout, depression, or "just life stress."
The window of opportunity no one talks about ❤️
This is the point that caught my attention the most. The American Heart Association highlighted this year that perimenopause is a true window of opportunity to take care of your heart. During this phase, cholesterol and blood sugar tend to rise, and this goes unnoticed precisely because women are too busy dealing with tiredness.
In other words: understanding that you are in this phase is not just a matter of naming it. It's a chance to act early. 💚
What to do if you suspect 🌱
🩺 Take this to your doctor: with your records in hand, the conversation will be much more productive.
🥩 Take care of the basics: protein, fiber, sleep, and movement support the body at any stage.
💚 Don't be silent: "it's your age" is not an answer. You deserve to be taken seriously.
"Naming what you feel is already halfway to taking care of it."
Have you ever suspected it might be perimenopause? 💚
Tell me in the comments. And if you know any woman who is exhausted and doesn't understand why, share this post with her. Information is support, and no one deserves to go through this phase in the dark! 🌹
With care and science, Vanessa 🌹
📚 Scientific References
Content based on recognized sources about perimenopause. Main references:
- Study on uncertainty regarding the stage of perimenopause, published in Menopause, scientific journal of The Menopause Society, July 2026.
- Global perspectives on perimenopause: Mayo Clinic research with the Flo app, involving 17,494 women from 158 countries. Menopause, 2026;33(7):789-798. DOI: 10.1097/GME.0000000000002730 (https://doi.org/10.1097/GME.0000000000002730)
- American Heart Association, 2026 materials on perimenopause as a window of opportunity for cardiovascular health.
- The Menopause Society and ACOG, guidelines on the clinical recognition of perimenopause.
The information is educational and does not replace individualized medical evaluation. Persistent symptoms deserve professional investigation. Science is constantly evolving.