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Am I Perimenopausal??? How I Missed the Signs (and What I Wish I’d Known Sooner)
- Alice
- Jun 25
- 3 min read
I remember thinking something wasn't right, that things felt off, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.
It was 2018, I’d not long had my third child, and I told myself it was probably just my body taking longer than usual to bounce back after birth (third one's a charm, right!?)
The tiredness, the mood swings, the heavy erractic periods - thinking it was just my uterus “getting back into shape” after having a baby, lingering pregnancy hormones or the inevitable stress of raising three small children.
But then came the hot flashes. Those intense waves of heat that made me want to rip my clothes off mid-conversation or fling open windows in the middle of winter. And the heart palpitations - thudding, fluttering sensations that made me catch my breath and wonder if I was anxious, or just overwhelmed, or both.
Honestly, perimenopause didn’t even cross my mind. I thought I was too young. I thought it came later.
But now I know: I gaslit my own symptoms - I was already in it.
So… What Is Perimenopause, Really?
Perimenopause is the hormonal transition that leads up to menopause, and it can start years before your periods actually stop.
It’s not always obvious and it doesn’t always show up in ways you expect. It’s not like puberty where someone hands you a leaflet and says, "Here’s what's going to happen.. " It often creeps in quietly, especially if, like me, you’ve just had a baby or you're in the thick of everyday life.
Some of the common signs include...
Hot flashes or night sweats
Heavier or more irregular periods
Sleep disruptions
Mood swings or anxiety
Low energy or brain fog
Heart palpitations
Feeling like your body isn’t quite your own anymore
If You’re Wondering “Am I Perimenopausal??” - Here’s What to Do...
1. Speak to a Doctor or Health Professional
Not all symptoms are hormonal, and not all perimenopause experiences are the same. A chat with your Doctor can help rule things out and confirm what’s going on. Blood tests may or may not be helpful, but your symptoms matter.
2. Track What You’re Feeling
Even just keeping a notes app log of changes in mood, sleep, periods, and energy levels can help you see patterns - and feel less like you’re imagining it.
3. Support Your Health in Simple Ways
You don’t need to overhaul your life, small shifts can make a big difference.
💛 Prioritise rest
💛 Eat foods that truly nourish you (think protein, fibre, good fats)
💛 Move your body in ways that feel good
💛 Reduce the noise and pressure where you can
💛 And, when you’re ready, consider supplement support
Supplements That Can Help
I’m a big believer in starting with the foundations, not gimmicks.
If you’re in this season of life, you might want to explore:
Vitamin D3 + K2 – for mood, immunity, bone support, and hormone health
Magnesium – for sleep, calm, and nervous system support
A clean multivitamin – to fill in nutritional gaps and help your body cope better with stress and change
Hormonal Support - ingredients designed to support oestrogen and progesterone balance. These can help ease the mood swings, night sweats, and irregular cycles that come with perimenopause
These aren’t quick fixes, they’re steady support, the kind your body is probably craving more than ever right now.
(I use and recommend supplements that are clean, affordable, and actually work. If you’re curious, I’ve put together a collection of what I use and trust:
You’re Not Losing It. You’re Rising.
Perimenopause isn’t the start of the end - it’s a powerful, transformational middle. And like all messy middles, it’s okay if it feels hard or confusing.
What matters most is that you don’t go through it alone, and you don’t ignore what your body is trying to tell you. You’re allowed to ask questions. You’re allowed to search for answers. And you’re allowed to support yourself, without guilt.
Because while you might not feel like you right now, I promise: She’s still there.
And she’s rising.
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