Most of us are pretty familiar with menopause.
It’s the time in a person’s life when they stop getting their menstrual period, and it generally happens at midlife, when a person is around 45 to 55 years old.
Menopause can be accompanied by a number of symptoms like mood changes, sleep disturbance, and ‘hot flushes’, which are sudden perceived changes in body temperature.
But menopause can be and often is preceded by perimenopause, which is the time in a person’s life when they’re transitioning into menopause.
Like menopause, it can be marked by symptoms like mood and sleep changes, weight fluctuation, vaginal dryness, and brain fog. Perimenopause often happens to people in their forties, although it can begin even earlier.
The thing is, perimenopause isn’t often talked about. Few people are aware of it, and we reckon that needs to change because it’s going to happen to so many of us! That’s why we wrote this blog - to change the conversation around perimenopause and to talk about what it is and how you can know if it’s happening to you.
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What is perimenopause?
During perimenopause the body begins producing less estrogen than it used to. This can lead to a range of symptoms like hot flushes, night sweats, ‘brain fog’, dry skin, vaginal dryness, irregular periods, or even heavier periods than normal.
A recent study from Monash University argued that the most common symptoms of perimenopause were “severe VMS [vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flushes and night sweats] and moderate to severe vaginal dryness”, although ‘poor memory and low mood’ were also common.
While a lot of these symptoms are things that people can experience throughout their lives for a number of reasons, the study argued that, “that women whose periods have become much heavier or much lighter and who also have VMS should be considered as having entered their perimenopause”.
The symptoms that accompany perimenopause can be uncomfortable and disruptive, although we want to stress that not everyone who experiences perimenopause will experience every symptom of it. In fact, some people will have no symptoms at all! 1 in 5 people who experience perimenopause will be largely asymptomatic.
Who does perimenopause happen to?
The authors of the study we discussed use the word ‘women’ to refer to people who experience perimenopause, but perimenopause can be experienced by anyone who has a female reproductive system. This includes trans, nonbinary, and intersex people, and people who have had a hysterectomy or oophorectomy.
Perimenopause generally occurs in the early- to mid-40s, although it can happen earlier. A study in npj Women’s Health found that some people as young as 30 are experiencing perimenopause symptoms.
The fact that perimenopause can happen so early in life, coupled with the fact that it isn’t discussed as widely as it should be, can make it feel a bit scary. A lot of us expect to grapple with changes to our hormones and bodies in our midlives, but suddenly learning that perimenopause is something we need to consider even in our thirties can feel intimidating.
What does perimenopause mean for me?
Perimenopause can happen gradually, over a long period of time. Its occurrence doesn’t signal an enormous, sudden change, but if you feel you’re experiencing perimenopause symptoms there are a few things to consider.
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Your perimenopause experience will be unique. The Australian Women’s Health Survey found that 30% of people experienced symptoms of perimenopause that ‘significantly interfered’ with their everyday life. Conversely, some people experience no symptoms. Every body is different, and every person will have a different experience of perimenopause.
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Your menstrual cycle may become irregular or get heavier. Some people who experience perimenopause get heavier periods than usual. Journalist Shelly Horton wrote about her experience for SBS, recalling that she “bled [...] for 62 days straight”. Horton recommends speaking with a GP regarding severe symptoms, but it may generally be a good idea to keep some extra period products on hand if you think perimenopause is on the horizon.
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You can still get pregnant during perimenopause. It’s important to be aware of this whether or not you want to conceive. If pregnancy isn’t your goal, using contraception that works for you is essential. More broadly, practicing safer sex remains just as important during perimenopause.
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You may need to start thinking about your fertility during perimenopause. If you want to start a family but not yet, perimenopause may be a good time to speak with a doctor about your reproductive health.
- You may experience poor mental health. While everyone’s experience is different, some people going through perimenopause have significant experiences with anxiety, depression, ‘brain fog’, and low moods. SBS even points out that the suicide rate among women, who primarily experience perimenopause, increases between the ages of 40 to 60. If you need mental health support, please reach out to a professional or contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
What can I do to manage perimenopause?
Perimenopause itself isn’t a problem that requires treatment, however if you want some help dealing with symptoms, understanding what’s happening, or advice regarding fertility, it’s a good idea to speak with your GP.
There are a number of treatments available to manage the symptoms of perimenopause, and a medical professional will help you decide what’s right for you.
In the meantime, there are a couple of ‘lifestyle changes’ that may benefit you. Here’s what’s worked for some of our Normal team experiencing perimenopause:
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Move your body in a way that feels good. Whether it’s walking, yoga, dancing, swimming, or hitting the gym, moving your body can lift your mood, get you out of the house, and help maintain your physical wellbeing. Even just going for a walk around the park with a friend can be a real mood booster.
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Eat nourishing, diverse meals. When your body is going through big changes, you can support it by eating food that nourishes it. Protein will help to build and repair vital cells and muscles, calcium will help keep your bones strong, and fresh fruit and veggies will help you get your vitamins and minerals. This isn’t about being restrictive or dogmatic to the point that it’s ruling your life or removing life's sweet pleasures, so don’t forget to treat yourself!
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Build—or find—your perimenopause community. Open up to the people around you about perimenopause and share how you’re feeling. You may discover that your friends and family have their own experiences with perimenopause, and can offer advice or support. Otherwise, check in with online communities that focus on perimenopause. Remembering that you’re not alone in experiencing perimenopause can be a real relief.
- Keep in touch with your sexual self. Okay, perimenopause isn’t always perceived as the sexiest time… but it can be! Some people may experience a loss of sexual desire during perimenopause, but this could also be due to a range of other factors. When you’re up to it though, check in with yourself and see if there’s a form of intimacy that you may be up to engaging with. Masturbation? Swapping massages with a partner? Even just reading some sexy smut or listening to audio erotica can be a fun and sensual way to invite pleasure into your life. (If you haven’t already, check out All Fours for both its portrayal of perimenopause and its steamy sex scenes.)
References
- Levine, Hallie. “Menopause symptoms that may surprise you: What to watch for during perimenopause”. Harvard Health Publishing. Published August 5, 2025. https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/menopause-symptoms-that-may-surprise-you-what-to-watch-for-during-perimenopause.
- Monash University. “First of its kind study explores symptom prevalence across the menopause transition”. Monash University. Published 26 July 2025. https://www.monash.edu/medicine/news/latest/2025-articles/first-of-its-kind-study-explores-symptom-prevalence-across-the-menopause-transition.
- Shelly Horton. “Perimenopause nearly killed me. Angry, I have a message for women. SBS News. Published 29 October 2025. https://www.sbs.com.au/news/insight/article/perimenopause-nearly-killed-me-angry-i-have-a-message-for-women/jmu3cvh5w.
- Morton, Erin. “Perimenopause usually begins in your 40s. How do you know if it has started?”. The Conversation. Published 10 November 2025. https://theconversation.com/perimenopause-usually-begins-in-your-40s-how-do-you-know-if-it-has-started-215806.
- Australian Menopause Society. “What is menopause?”. Australian Menopause Society. Accessed 11 December 2025. https://hub.menopause.org.au/Play?pId=1c445551-8053-4afd-b2a4-d40942c0d479.
