What Women Over 35 Are Revealing About Their Perimenopause Symptoms and Experiences

Knowing and understanding the changes your body goes through as you get older is important for your health. So why is it that many women still don’t have a grasp on perimenopause? Up until recently, menopause and other accompanying topics were seen as taboo and, unfortunately, weren’t really discussed publicly. Now, women are not only talking about perimenopause, but they’re also embracing this next chapter and sharing the symptoms they’ve experienced on social media. Keep reading to learn more about perimenopause and how you can find support during this stage of life. 

What is perimenopause?

Perimenopause is the transitional time before or around menopause. For some women taking to social media, perimenopause is starting as early as 35. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, it is “a natural process caused when your ovaries gradually stop working. Ovulation may become erratic and then stop. The menstrual cycle lengthens, and flow may become irregular before your final period.”

No two women experience this stage in the same way, but it can be beneficial to talk about it. Not only can people going through perimenopause find answers to their commonly asked questions, but can find a larger community of women going through similar ebbs and flows in their health journey. 

Perimenopause may happen earlier than you realize

Since perimenopause hasn’t been discussed as much publicly, women may not realize that they can start experiencing symptoms as young as their mid-30s. 

“The perimenopause can start as early as 35,” explains Dr. Wendy Chorny in a TikTok. “And yes you can be postpartum and in perimenopause or you can be trying to get pregnant and in perimenopause and you still get pregnant.”

She also points out that perimenopause can last 10 to 15 years before reaching the menopausal stage. The problem – that many women are running into – is that they aren’t aware they’re experiencing perimenopause because it is an under-discussed health topic.

Symptoms of perimenopause

Indeed, most women don’t know what to look for in terms of perimenopause. Some symptoms like hot flashes, or irregular periods are common, but according to a video on TikTok from Christie May, a certified mental wellness coach who helps women understand the bodily changes they’re experiencing – @holistic.hormone.health –  there are lesser-known symptoms you may experience during this time. 

May describes the first as similar to feeling like you’ve been electrocuted. “Some women experience what’s often described as electric shock sensations commonly felt in the head, the limbs, the breast,” she says. These can be brief, sudden and oftentimes will surprise you. Tingling or numbness in the hands is another one women may experience as well.

Third on the list of symptoms is brain fog. “Hormonal changes during perimenopause can affect cognitive function, leading to forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating and mental fog.”

Food sensitivities or new allergies can occur during the transition period. May also notes that hormonal changes can affect various parts of the body including body odor and overall emotional sensitivity. 

Women on TikTok are embracing perimenopause and talking about their experiences

Younger women are also joining the perimenopause conversation. Social media user @nataliediana.co is already thinking about perimenopause even though she’s only in her 20s. She knows that the pain and discomfort of a period and other related symptoms aren’t always the easiest and wants herself and others to be prepared for what’s to come.

And she isn’t the only one. When you search #perimenopause on the app, over 108,000 videos pop up where women are getting candid about their experiences. Women of various ages are more than happy to offer support, guidance and education on what happens to your body during perimenopause.

For more menopause information:

Intermittent Fasting for Menopause Helps Women over 50 Lose Weight Effortlessly

Painful Sex After Menopause Is Not ‘Normal’ — What Women’s Health Experts Want You to Know 

The Secret Weapon for Menopause? Your Gut Health Might Surprise You — And Help You Feel Your Best