Signs it's a 'comin'

Heavier than normal periods.

Like a lot heavier. Full undies in a dark colour and leave your white pants + skirts hanging in the wardrobe kind of days.

Through peri-menopause our bodies begin producing less progesterone - the hormone which  regulates the growth of the endometrium (the lining of the uterus - basically your period).

estrogen, and then progesterone build up this lining in preparation for pregnancy. when pregnancy does not occur, progesterone suddenly drops and this 'initiates' our period (very basically, as it's actually a massively complex and very clever system).

but with less progesterone to regulate both this uterine lining and the regular frequency of periods, it may become thicker, resulting in heavier periods.

Erratic periods.

A sign that soon, you'll be able to re-claim some major bathroom cupboard real estate. Out with the mountain of tampons and pads.  In with calming sprays, face masks, and actual space to easily access your neatly arranged bathroom things. 

In addition to less progesterone produced during the menopause transition, the number and quality of follicles (home to the eggs we are born with until they are mature enough to be released, month by month since our periods began) naturally diminishes over time. 

At the same time, our bodies are producing less estrogen because these amazing, absolutely miniscule follicles produce much of our estrogen.

So, also quite naturally, our periods become less frequent. 

But the diminishing of our estrogen levels is not orderly over this time, it varies significantly cycle to cycle.  So your cycle may be 45 days, then 30 days, then 60 days, then back to 30 days.

Throughout perimenopause these estrogen highs and lows are unpredictable, sporadic and at each high and low point, intense.  Resulting in erratic periods... 

Mood swings.  Moments of uncharacteristic anger.  A bit space cadet-ish.

Like wanting to smash a plate against the wall with zero provocation. forgetting stuff.  feeling weirdly grumpy. 

...and moments of 'strong emotions', brain fog, inability to recall certain things (like a word or where your keys are), inability to concentrate, anxiety and just generally feeling a bit sad or a bit shit...or all of the above.

This is also in part due to declining estrogen levels in the brain.  But also to general life stresses, and because in many cases, menopause does start to occur as we get older, our brains are aging.  Just the same as those of men.

Also for the most part it's temporary through this transition if you're worried about needing to invest in a car key tracker... and if indeed they actually exist.  I'm not sure, but I have trained myself to leave the car keys in exactly the same spot every single time. 

Hot flushes

Clinically known as 'vasomotor symptoms', or as they were referred to from as early as the 1700's, 'hot blooms' which I much prefer.  Because they do kind of start from the inside and 'bloom' out.

If you've had them you'll know what I mean.  If not, a hot bloom can vary in intensity and frequency but share the common denominator of sudden, uncontrollable heat, emanating from within and making its way to the surface of your skin - to eventually cool down. 

In a very un-sciencey nutshell of an explanation, estrogen plays a role - alongside neurons, in temperature regulation.  Loss of estrogen where it previously was can make these neurons a bit shouty, telling our bodies we're hot when we are not actually not.  Previously estrogen would have kept these shouty neurons under control, but with less estrogen to go round, the neurons do tend to jump the gun at the slightest hint of a temperature increase and trigger a hot bloom.  They're erratic and vary greatly in intensity and duration.  The one consistent is their inconsistency.  And feeling unnecessarily hot sometimes. 

For me these didn't start for a while after the other symptoms, and because they're widely associated with menopause this with the trigger for me to realise I was peri-menopausal. It was a relief because it gave meaning to the mood swings and from there I could understand, and therefore control the grumpiness much more easily. 

Vaginal Dryness

No interpretation needed.  

My symptoms coincided with the birth of my son.  I thought the discomfort was just sex after having a baby. 

Until it didn't improve over time.

Vaginal dryness is a symptom of declining estrogen levels.  Generally lube works a treat.  Stock up.

Bad sleeps

I know for sure our sprinklers run at 2am. Every night. 

Unsurprisingly all of the above can affect your sleep - it's hard to drift off while thinking anxious and/or pissed off thoughts, and it's hard to sleep through a sudden heat wave, like in your dream you are elegantly disembarking your private jet into the glorious heat of tahiti, butgoddamnit you're wearing a snowsuit.  Who packed this farking suitcase?!?

And being tired can make you feel more brain foggy and more anxious.  and generally a bit shit.

A bit of a vicious cycle to be fair.