Hot flashes are the symptom everyone associates with “the change” — but for many women, the earliest signals are far subtler, and easy to write off as stress, ageing, or a bad week.
Signs worth tracking
- Shorter or longer cycles — a 28-day cycle that drifts to 24 or 35 days.
- Heavier or lighter periods than your usual pattern.
- New or worsening PMS in the days before your period.
- Sleep that breaks apart — waking at 3am for no clear reason.
- Mood swings that feel disproportionate to the situation.
- Joint aches that appear without an injury.
- Dry skin or hair changes that don’t respond to your usual products.
- Increased anxiety, even in situations you used to handle easily.
- Memory lapses — losing your train of thought mid-sentence.
- Lower tolerance for alcohol or heat than before.
Why this list matters
None of these symptoms alone is diagnostic. But two or three appearing together, especially alongside cycle changes, is a strong signal that hormonal shifts are underway — and a reason to bring it up at your next appointment rather than waiting for it to “settle down.”
What to do next
Start a simple symptom log for two to three cycles. Patterns that feel invisible day-to-day often become obvious once written down, and that record is one of the most useful things you can bring to a GP visit.