Questions we
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Perimenopause often announces itself through changes to your menstrual cycle — periods becoming shorter, longer, lighter, heavier or less predictable — alongside symptoms like hot flushes, night sweats, disrupted sleep, mood changes, brain fog or new anxiety. There is no single test that confirms perimenopause; it is usually a clinical picture built from your age, symptoms and cycle changes. If several of these sound familiar, it is worth raising with your GP.

Yes. While the average age for perimenopause to begin is the mid-to-late 40s, it can start earlier — including in your late 30s — for some women. Early perimenopause is more common than many people realise, and symptoms can be just as disruptive regardless of age. If you are noticing changes earlier than expected, it is still worth discussing with your GP rather than assuming it is "too early."

Perimenopause typically lasts between four and ten years, though this varies widely from person to person. It ends 12 months after your final period, at which point you have reached menopause. Because the transition is gradual and non-linear, symptoms can come and go, change in intensity, or shift in type over this time.

Yes — pregnancy is still possible during perimenopause, even with irregular cycles. Ovulation can still occur unpredictably, so contraception is recommended until you have gone 12 months without a period (or longer if you are under 50). If pregnancy is not part of your plans, talk to your GP about contraception options that suit perimenopause.

Perimenopause is the transition phase leading up to menopause, during which hormone levels fluctuate and symptoms typically begin. Menopause itself is a single point in time — the day marking 12 months since your last period. Everything before that point is perimenopause; everything after is post-menopause.

For most healthy women under 60, or within ten years of menopause, current evidence suggests the benefits of MHT (Menopausal Hormone Therapy, the term now used in Australia) generally outweigh the risks. Safety depends on your individual health history, the type and dose used, and how it is monitored. This is a conversation worth having with your GP, who can assess what is appropriate for you.

Hot flushes themselves are not dangerous, though they can be uncomfortable and disruptive to sleep, work and daily life. That said, frequent or severe hot flushes have been linked to other long-term health considerations, including cardiovascular and bone health, so they are worth mentioning to your GP — not just to manage the symptom, but as part of your broader health picture.

Yes, brain fog — difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, and word-finding trouble — is one of the most common and most under-discussed symptoms of perimenopause. It is linked to fluctuating oestrogen levels, which affect areas of the brain involved in memory and focus. For most women it improves after the menopause transition, but if it is significantly affecting your work or daily life, it is worth discussing with your GP to rule out other causes and explore support options.

It can be. Hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause directly affect brain chemicals like serotonin and GABA that regulate mood and calm, which is why new or worsening anxiety is common during this transition — even for women with no previous history of anxiety. It is biological, not a personal failing. If anxiety is persistent or affecting your quality of life, please speak to your GP, as effective support and treatment options are available.

Unfortunately, this is a common experience. It can help to come prepared — keep a symptom diary noting frequency, severity and impact on daily life, and be specific about what you would like discussed. If you do not feel heard, you can ask for a longer appointment, request a referral to a GP with a special interest in menopause, or seek a second opinion. The Australasian Menopause Society's Find a Doctor tool can help you locate a GP with specific menopause training.

Perimenopause and thyroid conditions can share overlapping symptoms — fatigue, weight changes, mood changes, and sleep disruption among them — which is why they are sometimes confused. A simple blood test can check your thyroid function and help your GP distinguish between the two, or identify if both are contributing. It is a good idea to mention all your symptoms so your GP can consider the full picture.

Yes. Strength training, regular movement, prioritising sleep, moderating alcohol, and nutrition adjustments (such as increasing protein) have all been shown to meaningfully reduce the impact of perimenopause symptoms for many women. Lifestyle changes will not replace medical treatment where it is needed, but they are a powerful complement to it — and a great place to start regardless of what other support you choose.