How Did I Know I was in Perimenopause? My Early Symptoms & Wake-Up Call

I had a moment where I realized I think I better rewind here. After reviewing my many posts talking about my perimenopause journey, I realized I never talked about how I knew I was in perimenopause. This has only recently become a “trending” topic, though it has been a stage of life that has existed for every woman since forever. While it is an individual journey, here are a few things that pointed me in the direction that my own perimenopause journey had begun.

So, how did I know I was in perimenopause? The truth is… I DIDN’T! I absolutely had no clue. Like many of you, I thought menopause was the only stage I had to think about. I thought it would happen in my 50s with some hot flashes and that would be it. Now that I know what I know, even as I say it, I sound clueless. I was clueless, and part of me wants to be embarrassed, but how could I have known? My mother passed at 52, and I didn't even hear other ladies around me talking about anything other than menopause.

Around age 46,  I noticed some unusual weight gain. Since I’d followed a long-term workout routine and managed my diet well, I was confused. I tried monitoring my diet strictly just in case that was the problem, but the weight didn't budge. When I mentioned it to my long time doctor, he suggested maybe I had put on muscle, but I wasn't buying it. Then one day a random pain in my right thumb showed up. It kept coming and going, and aching in ways that made me want to cry. My doctor prescribed arthritis cream and I was on my way.

Next, it wasn't long before my sleep pattern was off. I was waking up between 2 AM and 4 AM, and never sleeping much following that. Even as I write this, I haven’t gotten more than four hours of sleep the past few nights. Throw my low energy days on top of all of this, and some days I just feel a like shell of my former self.

As I write this it sounds pretty crazy to me because the reality is a doctor never told me I was in perimenopause- I told them. I am the one who brought up the term after hearing about it, and recognizing the symptoms. It's unfortunate when you think about it, especially considering my gynecologist is a woman who is older than I am. Well, now that I know what I am experiencing,  it is my intention to make sure my own daughters don't have to guess or be surprised when their journey begins.

There are multiple symptoms associated with perimenopause, and what I experience may not be the same as you, but I encourage you to do your research and talk about it. Advocate for yourself, and take the necessary steps to stay on top of it, and do what works for you to help ease your symptoms. You do not and should not suffer in silence.