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Understanding perimenopause
Symptoms may begin before periods stop and can change over time. Because sleep, mood, bleeding and physical symptoms can overlap with other health issues, a healthcare professional should assess new or concerning changes.
A diary of symptoms, periods and their impact can help you and your doctor understand patterns and discuss suitable support.
02
What might be worth noticing?
Experiences vary. These are prompts for a conversation, not a checklist for self-diagnosis.
- Changes to cycle length, flow or predictability
- Hot flushes, night sweats and sleep disruption
- Fatigue, headaches, muscle or joint pain and vaginal dryness
- Brain fog, anxiety, low mood, irritability or feeling unlike yourself
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What should I track before an appointment?
Track only what is useful and manageable. A simple, consistent record is more helpful than a perfect one.
- 01Period dates, flow and unexpected bleeding
- 02Hot flushes and night sweats
- 03Sleep, energy, headaches, pain and vaginal symptoms
- 04Mood, anxiety, concentration and memory
- 05Medicines, therapies or strategies and their effect
- 06Impact on work, care, relationships, sex and daily life
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Questions you could take to your doctor
- “Could these changes be perimenopause or should we investigate other causes?”
- “Do I need any tests based on my age, history and symptoms?”
- “What hormonal and non-hormonal options could suit me?”
- “How can we include sleep and mental health in my care plan?”
Appointment tip: lead with the change that worries you most, how long it has been happening and what it stops you doing.
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How can this affect mental and emotional wellbeing?
Perimenopause can affect mental health as well as physical health. Mood, anxiety, sleep and cognitive changes deserve the same attention as hot flushes. If symptoms last more than two weeks, worsen or affect daily life, speak with your GP.
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When should I seek medical help?
- Book a GP appointment for new, persistent or disruptive symptoms and for bleeding that concerns you.
- Always see a doctor for bleeding after menopause, which means bleeding after 12 months without a period.
- Seek urgent support if you feel unsafe or think you may harm yourself: call 000 if life is in danger or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
This guidance is general. If you are unsure what to do, call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 to speak with a registered nurse in Australia.
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Sources and further reading
We used these Australian health sources to check the factual information in this guide.