If you’re somewhere between your late 30s and mid-50s and thinking,
“Is it just me, or is my body suddenly doing things it’s never done before?”
— you’re not imagining it.

Perimenopause is chaotic, unpredictable, and massively misunderstood.
Most women describe it as “puberty in reverse.”
I describe it as:
Your hormones throwing the ultimate plot twist — and your body doing its best to keep up.

And for the record:
You’re not going mad, you’re not weak, and it’s NOT “just age.”

So let’s talk about what’s really going on.

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What Actually Is Perimenopause?

This is the transitional phase before menopause — when hormones (especially oestrogen and progesterone) start fluctuating wildly.

Not gently.
Not politely.
Wildly.

Think rollercoaster with no seatbelt.

And because oestrogen receptors exist all over your body — joints, brain, gut, skin, bladder, blood vessels — those changes ripple everywhere.

That’s why perimenopause has 50+ potential symptoms.

Yep.
Fifty.
More for some.

So if you’ve felt like your body has turned into a mystery box — here’s the list.

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The 50+ Symptoms of Perimenopause

Not everyone gets all of these — but enough of them show up to make life confusing:

Physical symptoms

1. Hot flushes
2. Night sweats
3. Joint pain
4. Muscle aches
5. Fatigue
6. Weight gain or stubborn weight
7. Bloating
8. Headaches / migraines
9. Breast tenderness
10. Heart palpitations
11. Tingling or electric shock sensations
12. Dizziness
13. Allergies worsening
14. Dry skin
15. Hair thinning
16. Itchy skin
17. Vaginal dryness
18. Reduced libido
19. Painful sex
20. Bladder urgency
21. Urinary tract issues
22. Changes in body odour
23. Dry eyes
24. Bleeding gums
25. New food sensitivities

Cognitive and emotional symptoms

26. Anxiety
27. Low mood
28. Mood swings
29. Brain fog
30. Forgetfulness
31. Irritability
32. Poor concentration
33. Feeling overwhelmed
34. Loss of confidence
35. Sleep disruption / insomnia

Cycle and hormonal symptoms

36. Irregular periods
37. Heavy periods
38. Light periods
39. Short cycles
40. Long cycles
41. Spotting
42. PMS worsening

Temperature + nervous system symptoms

43. Cold hands and feet
44. Burning mouth sensation
45. Restless legs
46. Nerve pain
47. Pins and needles
48. Feeling “wired but tired”
49. Sensitivity to stress
50. Increased startle response
51. Feeling like your body works differently day to day

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Why This Happens (in plain English)

Oestrogen and progesterone don’t just regulate your cycle.
They help with:

• Muscle recovery
• Joint lubrication
• Temperature control
• Mood regulation
• Cognitive function
• Sleep
• Blood sugar balance
• Pain modulation
• Stress response
• Digestive health

So when the levels dip, spike, crash, dip again…
everything goes a bit haywire.

You’re not broken.
Your body is adapting.
Just… not quietly.

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What People Commonly Get Wrong

Let’s call these out:

❌ “It’s just ageing.”

Absolutely not.
This is hormonal, and treatable.

❌ “You just need to push through.”

No.
Support, pacing, and proper treatment matter.

❌ “Symptoms only happen around periods.”

Wrong — perimenopause disrupts systems constantly.

❌ “Osteopathy can fix your hormones.”

Also wrong.
But…

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Where Osteopathy Helps (and why it makes a big difference)

We don’t treat hormones — but we do treat the fallout:

• Tight neck and shoulders from poor sleep
• Aches and pains from inflammation
• Lower back tension from stress hormones
• Rib stiffness affecting breathing
• Pelvic tension and hip discomfort
• Postural shifts from fatigue and guarding
• Chronic muscle tightness
• Nervous-system overdrive

Osteopathy helps by:

✔️ Improving mobility in tight, stiff joints
✔️ Calming the nervous system
✔️ Reducing muscle tension
✔️ Helping you breathe deeper and feel grounded
✔️ Supporting circulation and recovery
✔️ Giving you back a sense of control in your body

And perhaps the most important part:

You get space to talk about what you’re actually experiencing — without being dismissed.

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What You Can Do Today

Here are three things that help immediately:

✔️ Move daily — gently but consistently

Not bootcamp. Not punishment.
Walking, mobility, yoga, strength — whatever you can manage.

✔️ Regulate your breathing

Your diaphragm and nervous system are best friends.

✔️ Prioritise recovery

Sleep, hydration, pacing, boundaries, rest.
Your system is doing extra work behind the scenes.

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Final Thoughts — You’re Not “Losing Yourself”

Perimenopause feels like your body is changing the rules without warning.
But you’re not stuck, and you’re not alone.

With the right support, understanding, and treatment, you can feel strong, calm, and in control again.

If your symptoms are piling up and you want your body to feel like yours again, I’m here to help.

👉 Book an appointment at Thrive Body Clinic
Let’s help you move well, sleep better, and support your body through this season.