Anxiety, hot flashes, and a decreased sex drive are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the symptoms of perimenopause.
And for some, the symptoms can be difficult to manage.
Steps star Clare Richards, 45, revealed she struggled to leave her home in Surrey because the symptoms were so ‘horrible’.
The singer confessed in an interview with The Mirror that she had severe anxiety, “the worst” heart palpitations, “pounding” through her neck and felt like she was “shrinking from the inside out”.
Not everyone going through perimenopause will experience physical and mental symptoms, but most do, experts say.
Claire Richards, 45, has revealed she was housebound in the early stages of perimenopause as she struggled with ‘horrible’ symptoms
Changes in the menstrual cycle
Perimenopause is the time from the onset of menopausal symptoms until after a woman has had her last menstrual period.
It is a natural phase in a woman’s life that usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 60.
During perimenopause, your hormones begin to change and your ovaries will produce fewer eggs.
Changes in your period are usually, but not always, the first sign of perimenopause, according to the NHS.
They may become irregular, longer or shorter than usual. Your bleeding may also be heavier or lighter than your normal period.
Perimenopause isn’t considered menopause until you haven’t had a period for about a year.
Hot flashes
Feeling hot and bothered is a common symptom of perimenopause caused by a drop in the hormone estrogen.
It can cause a sudden flush of red that spreads across your chest, neck, face, and head, as well as sweating, mood swings, and lack of concentration.
A hot flash can also spread a feeling of heat throughout your body and face, according to Bupa.
The ones that happen at night are called night sweats.
If you’re experiencing the dreaded symptom, you’re not alone, as it can affect as many as eight out of 10 perimenopausal women, says Bupa.
And you can keep getting them even after your period has stopped.
A hot flash causes a feeling of warmth that spreads through your body and face. It can cause a sudden flush of red that spreads over your chest, neck, face, and head, as well as sweating, mood swings, and lack of concentration
Trouble sleeping
A lack of estrogen can be the cause of insufficient sleep.
Estrogen, testosterone and progesterone all decrease during perimenopause, says general practitioner and menopause specialist Dr Louise Newson.
All of these hormones have a beneficial effect on your brain and sleep patterns, she told MailOnline.
Dr. Newson said, “You may be dealing with the domino effect of physical symptoms, including night sweats and the urge to get up in the middle of the night to urinate because of urinary symptoms.”
Hot flashes and anxiety, which can last for months or even years during perimenopause and menopause, can also wreak havoc on your sleep.
Constantly waking up in the night and being too hot is one of the reasons why perimenopause makes it harder to sleep.
And waking up feeling warm can cause a surge in adrenaline, according to the Sleep Foundation, making it harder to get back to sleep.
Sleep complaints during perimenopause and menopause are often accompanied by feelings of anxiety and depression.
The Sleep Foundation notes that a lack of sleep itself can also cause or contribute to anxiety and depression.
Palpitations
Heart palpitations that suddenly become more noticeable, known as palpitations, are a symptom of perimenopause, the NHS says.
That’s because estrogen, which decreases during perimenopause, helps protect the heart, as well as blood vessels, bones, brain, skin, and vagina.
The symptom is usually harmless and can occur during hot flashes.
Dr. Newson said: ‘Palpitations can last for a few seconds or a few minutes. They may coincide with a hot flash or night sweats, dizziness, or occur on their own.
“Heart palpitations may be due to changing or decreasing estrogen levels, which can affect the pathways in your heart through which electrical impulses travel.”
Headaches and Migraines
Headaches are usually caused by a change in hormones.
So the birth control pill, menstruation and perimenopause can all trigger them.
During a period, the natural drop in estrogen can trigger migraines or headaches.
Those going through perimenopause may menstruate more frequently and their normal cycle may be disrupted, triggering the symptom.
Dr. Newson said: ‘During perimenopause and menopause, fluctuations in your hormone levels can make migraines more common.
“And because hormones tend to fluctuate more during perimenopause, that means migraines can be worse.”
“When I did The Masked Singer, the fear was terrible. I had the worst palpitations, pounding through my neck,” admitted the singer who was pictured in February’s ITV show The Masked Singer
Claire and husband Reece Hill have been together for 25 years and share son Charlie, 16, and daughter Daisy, 13
Decreased sex drive
A loss of interest in sex during perimenopause may be caused by the drop in hormone levels, especially estrogen.
This drop in estrogen can also cause vaginal dryness, pain, itching, and discomfort during sex, which can contribute to the loss of libido.
However, other physical changes can also contribute to your loss of libido, such as weight gain that can make you feel less confident or a lack of sleep that can make you too tired for sex.
Changes in appearance
Changes in hormones mean that it becomes more difficult for the body to burn calories efficiently and it stores more fat.
This means that some women experience weight gain during perimenopause or during menopause.
The NHS says HRT can help with this, but suggests staying active to help your body burn calories.
Other possible appearance changes include dry and itchy skin.
This can also be caused by a lack of estrogen, which leads to lower levels of natural oils, experts say.
Anxiety and brain fog
Not only does perimenopause affect women physically, it can affect their mental health as well.
Many women experience anxiety, brain fog and loss of confidence, the NHS says.
But these phycological symptoms are the result of a change in hormones and other symptoms that can all have a major impact on your life.
Sleep problems can also contribute to feelings of depression and anxiety.
Your mood can also be affected by your other symptoms, making you feel less confident.
Dr. Newson said: “Too often women are told that their perimenopause and menopause symptoms are due to clinical depression and are offered and prescribed antidepressants to try to regulate and improve their mood, which often do not help or work.”
She added: ‘HRT is the first-line treatment for perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms, including psychological symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and lifestyle changes, such as a balanced diet, exercising regularly and focusing on sleeping well and relaxing, can also help.”