Could I Be in Perimenopause?

Are you aged over 40 and wondering whether you could be in perimenopause? You might have a combination of symptoms but because your period is still regular, you're unsure. If this sounds like you, read on (and if it’s not you yet, it will be one day so read on anyway).

What Is Perimenopause?

Perimenopause precedes menopause and can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years, often starting in our 40’s. During this time:

• We begin to run out of eggs

• Oestrogen levels shift dramatically

• Our periods eventually stop

Menopause is officially defined as 12 months without a period.

Perimenopause is not linear. Our oestrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate wildly during this time, often rising up to three times their normal level before finally dropping off as we enter menopause. These fluctuations are what lead to the rollercoaster of symptoms many women experience.

Some women breeze through perimenopause with barely a symptom. But if you’re reading this, chances are you fall into the group that doesn’t.

As Dr Mary Claire Haver says:

“The ovaries don’t simply ease into retirement—they go out fighting.”

Common Signs and Symptoms

There are many signs and symptoms associated with perimenopause, and they vary in intensity and frequency from person to person. Some of the most common include:

• Hot flushes

• Irregular periods

• Lightheadedness

• Headaches

• Irritability

• Panic attacks

• Depression and anxiety

• Mood changes and rage

• Brain fog

• Sleeplessness

• Joint or muscle pain/loss

• Frozen shoulder

• Weight gain, especially around the belly

• Dry, itchy skin and dry eyes

• Thinning hair on the head or facial hair

• Urinary frequency

• Low libido and vaginal dryness

• Breast tenderness

• Insulin resistance

• Increased blood pressure or cholesterol

• Itchy ears

Why Blood Tests Aren’t Helpful

You’ve probably seen Facebook group posts recommending blood tests to diagnose perimenopause. This is no longer the recommended approach.

If you are over 40 and experiencing these symptoms, then blood tests won’t provide a reliable diagnosis. Hormones like FSH, LH, AMH, oestradiol, progesterone and testosterone fluctuate daily during perimenopause. This means:

• You could test “normal” even though symptoms are intense

• Doctors might delay treatment based on lab results instead of listening to your lived experience

The Australasian Menopause Society advises that for women aged over 45, clinical signs and symptoms should guide treatment, not blood tests.

So what should you do? Keep a journal of your symptoms and bring that to your health provider. Try to track your signs and symptoms for 3 months. Make sure they know the current recommendation is to treat based on symptoms, not labs.

How TCM Can Help

So, where does Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) fit in?

A recent randomised control trial published in The BMJ found that six weekly acupuncture sessions led to significant improvements in:

• Hot flushes and night sweats

• Sleep quality

• Mood and emotional wellbeing

• Physical symptoms like joint pain

• Skin and hair symptoms

From a TCM perspective, treatment focuses on strengthening the kidney and increasing yin, restoring the yin-yang balance. This may include:

• Acupuncture

• Chinese herbal medicine

• TCM Massage

• Stress reduction

• A Mediterranean-style diet and the incorporation of on yin building foods including pears, apples, black sesame, seaweed and goji berries. Avoiding excess caffeine and alcohol, hot, spicy and fried foods can also reduce common menopausal symptoms. 

• Movement and exercise

TCM works on its own or alongside Western medicine. Chinese Medicine works with HRT if you choose to take it, it can offer relief from symptoms that HRT might not fully address. The Australian Menopause Society endorses the use of acupuncture in conjunction with HRT, recognising its benefits in supporting women during this phase.

Final Thoughts

Perimenopause can feel confusing and isolating but you’re not imagining it. You’re not overreacting. You don’t have to suffer through it in silence. At Seven Points Wellness, we’ll never dismiss your symptoms or request unnecessary blood tests. We'll listen, support, and create a treatment plan to help you feel more like yourself again.

If you’d like help managing your symptoms naturally, please get in touch with us at Seven Points Wellness. We're here to support you through this transition, step by step.