{"id":59383,"date":"2025-10-07T01:55:54","date_gmt":"2025-10-07T05:55:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blackhealthmatters.com\/?p=59383"},"modified":"2025-10-21T14:44:29","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T18:44:29","slug":"this-is-what-perimenopause-feels-like","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blackhealthmatters.com\/this-is-what-perimenopause-feels-like\/","title":{"rendered":"This Is What Perimenopause Feels Like"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019ve been feeling off, your sleep is unpredictable, your mood shifts, and your period shows up early, late, or not at all. You are not alone. These changes often get blamed on stress or age, but they may be signs of perimenopause.<\/p>\n<p>This phase before <a href=\"https:\/\/blackhealthmatters.com\/helping-patients-manage-menopause-unexpected-weight-gain\/\">menopause<\/a> affects hormones and can throw off your cycle, energy, and sense of balance. We spoke to <a href=\"https:\/\/nicolealiciamd.com\/about-nicole\/\">Dr. Nicole Sparks<\/a>, an OB-GYN and lifestyle content creator, about what to expect and when to speak up.<\/p>\n<h2>\u00a0The First Signs of Perimenopause<\/h2>\n<p>Perimenopause often begins subtly. <a href=\"https:\/\/blackhealthmatters.com\/the-life-in-the-pause-festival-deepened-the-menopause-discussion\/\">Hormone<\/a> levels shift, and these changes can manifest in various ways, such as trouble sleeping, mood swings, or irregular menstrual periods. Many people assume it is stress or aging, but these symptoms may be your body\u2019s way of signaling something more specific.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSome of the signs and symptoms associated with perimenopause are vague and non-specific,\u201d says Dr. Sparks. \u201cSo, you may attribute them to stress or \u2018getting older\u2019 when it may be more serious than that. Hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and irregular periods are some of the first signs patients present with.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>She adds, \u201cIt\u2019s ok to have occasional irregular periods. Maybe you\u2019ve started exercising more than usual, or were traveling, and your period came early or late. But if you notice a pattern of persistent irregular periods and symptoms over time, that\u2019s when you should seek help.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>How Perimenopause Impacts Black Women Differently<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cMost women start having symptoms of perimenopause in their mid to late forties, but some experience them as early as their thirties,\u201d says Dr. Sparks.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cPerimenopause usually lasts four to eight years and ends when you\u2019ve gone one full year without a period.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>For Black women, the timeline may be earlier and the symptoms more intense. \u201cStudies show that perimenopause can begin earlier in Black women,\u201d she says. \u201cBecause of chronic stress and socioeconomic factors, symptoms like irregular periods, sleep disturbances, and hot flashes may be dismissed as normal, and women may not seek help.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>How Shifts in Estrogen Impact Hair, Weight, and Hormones.<\/h2>\n<p>Estrogen is often regarded as a reproductive hormone, but it also plays a crucial role in hair growth, metabolism, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/blackhealthmatters.com\/helping-patients-manage-menopause-unexpected-weight-gain\/\">body&#8217;s fat storage<\/a>. During perimenopause, as estrogen levels begin to decline, these systems start to shift in noticeable ways.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cAll of the symptoms during perimenopause and menopause tie directly back to a decrease in estrogen,\u201d Dr. Sparks explains.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>\u201cEstrogen helps promote the active growth phase of hair follicles. When it decreases, follicles stay longer in the resting phase, and you may notice increased shedding and thinning.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Estrogen also affects metabolism and the body&#8217;s fat storage. \u201cYou may notice your metabolism slowing down in your late thirties and early forties,\u201d she says. \u201cYou\u2019re burning fewer calories at rest. Fat storage shifts, especially to the abdomen. And when estrogen drops, so does your insulin sensitivity, which can lead to weight gain and increased appetite.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Estrogen also helps maintain bone strength, so when levels fall, the risk of osteoporosis increases. That is a condition where bones become weaker and more likely to break. Supporting your body with calcium, vitamin D, and <a href=\"https:\/\/blackhealthmatters.com\/move-it-and-improve-it\/\">weight-bearing movement<\/a> like walking or resistance training can help protect your bones during this transition.<\/p>\n<h2>They Also Affect Our Mood, Brain, and Mental Health<\/h2>\n<p>Hormonal shifts during perimenopause also influence brain chemistry, including neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. These are chemical messengers that help regulate mood, focus, and emotional stability.<\/p>\n<p>Estrogen helps your brain produce and utilize serotonin, which supports emotional stability and sleep. It also affects dopamine, a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in motivation and attention.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Progesterone works with calming systems in the brain that help you feel settled and sleep well.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>When these hormones start to rise and fall unevenly, it can throw off how your brain handles emotions, focus, and stress.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s not all in your head, and you\u2019re not alone,\u201d says Dr. Sparks. \u201cSerotonin and dopamine are neurotransmitters that help regulate mood. When estrogen and progesterone fluctuate, you may feel irritable one minute and fine the next.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>She continues, \u201cYou may notice brain fog, struggling to find words or remember lyrics, and have difficulty concentrating.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>These hormone shifts can contribute to anxiety and depression. Add in sleep disturbances and insomnia, and it can make everything feel worse.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Sleep Disruptions<\/h2>\n<p>Sleep changes during perimenopause can mean trouble falling asleep, waking up too early, or feeling unrested. Hormones such as estrogen and progesterone also influence melatonin, the hormone that helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>When melatonin is disrupted, your body may struggle to determine when it is time to wind down.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Simple changes, such as maintaining a regular bedtime, limiting screen time before sleep, and avoiding caffeine late in the day, can help. <span style=\"font-family: Verdana, BlinkMacSystemFont, -apple-system, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;\">If insomnia persists, consult your doctor about treatment options tailored to your needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Can It Impact Your Diabetes or Hypertension?<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cIf you are living with diabetes or high blood pressure, it\u2019s important to know how perimenopause can affect your conditions,\u201d Dr. Sparks says. \u201cEstrogen is a protective factor for our heart. When levels decline, it increases your risk for cardiovascular disease, which is the number one cause of death in Black women.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>She explains that lower estrogen can also lead to insulin resistance, which affects how well your body manages blood sugar.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>\u201cThese changes can lead to higher blood pressure, higher blood sugar, and increased weight gain. Let your doctor know if you start to notice shifts in these numbers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Perimenopause often overlaps with the onset of chronic conditions. Bone density, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels can shift without apparent symptoms. Regular checkups and updates to laboratory tests, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and hemoglobin A1c, can help detect changes early and guide your care.<\/p>\n<h2>Pregnancy Can Still Occur<\/h2>\n<p>Perimenopause doesn\u2019t mean pregnancy is off the table. Ovulation can still happen, even if cycles are irregular or symptoms are hard to track.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Birth rates among women in their late 30s and early 40s have continued to rise, as more people choose to <a href=\"https:\/\/blackhealthmatters.com\/are-you-pregnant-after-35-heres-what-you-need-to-know\/\">start families<\/a> later in life.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>This unpredictability can be stressful. If you\u2019re trying to conceive, it may take longer and require fertility support. If you\u2019re not trying to conceive, it\u2019s worth reviewing your birth control options. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.acog.org\/womens-health\/faqs\/evaluating-infertility\">American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists<\/a> (ACOG) recommends seeking an infertility evaluation after six months of trying if you\u2019re over 35, and before trying if you\u2019re over 40.<\/p>\n<h2>Advocating for Better Care<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cYou aren\u2019t married to your doctor,\u201d says Dr. Sparks. \u201cIf your concerns are being dismissed, find a new provider. It\u2019s unfortunate, but many women aren\u2019t taken seriously when they bring up perimenopause.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>She encourages preparation. \u201cAdvocate for yourself. Bring a list of symptoms and why you\u2019re concerned. Keep a diary so you can be specific. Ask if your symptoms could be related to perimenopause and what that means for your health.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cMake sure your labs, blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes screenings are current. If they aren\u2019t, request updates. And if your provider still doesn\u2019t listen, don\u2019t hesitate to get a second opinion.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>You do not have to wait until things get worse. If you are noticing changes in your cycle, mood, sleep, or energy, start tracking them. The more specific you are, the easier it is to get answers and the care you deserve.<\/p>\n<p>Resources:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/nicolealiciamd.com\/about-nicole\/\">About Nicole &#8211; Nicole Alicia MD<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acog.org\/womens-health\/faqs\/evaluating-infertility\">Evaluating Infertility | ACOG<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019ve been feeling off, your sleep is unpredictable, your mood shifts, and your period shows up early, late, or not at all. You are not alone. These changes often [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":59392,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6548,6551,6554,3041],"tags":[3720,1762,6459,6460,4126,1166,1157,1167,2864,6455,6458,6457,1131,6456,225],"class_list":["post-59383","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-condition","category-diabetes-type-1-type-2","category-heart-disease","category-womens-health","tag-advanced-maternal-age","tag-black-womens-health","tag-cycle-changes","tag-estrogen","tag-health-equity","tag-hormonal-changes","tag-hormones","tag-hot-flashes","tag-irregular-periods","tag-menopause-transition","tag-midlife-wellness","tag-mood-swings","tag-perimenopause","tag-perimenopause-symptoms","tag-reproductive-health"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.9 (Yoast SEO v26.9) - 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