Perimenopause symptoms are often overlooked — here’s what to watch for

SALT LAKE CITY —  You can often find Jessica in a yoga class, running around the block, or traveling to a new country. "I like to do a lot of things. I have a lot of hobbies," the 46-year-old said. But a few months ago, something felt off.

She started experiencing low energy and trouble sleeping — symptoms she initially brushed off as part of everyday life. Then came the night sweats and joint pain.

"I thought, I really need to find out what's happening to my body," she said. What she was experiencing is something a lot of women go through: perimenopause — the transition leading up to menopause, when hormones like estrogen and progesterone begin to fluctuate and decline. Perimenopause typically begins in a woman’s 40s, but it can start earlier and last anywhere from a few years to nearly a decade before periods stop completely. Symptoms can include irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, weight gain, brain fog, mood changes, low libido and joint pain. "One of the biggest misconceptions is that it's horrible, everything's downhill from there," said Martie Nightingale, a certified nurse midwife at Intermountain Health. "I really like to encourage my patients to find a place where they can thrive, and encourage them to find joy, almost a rediscovery in their life." Nightingale said it's important for women to find a provider who specializes in menopause care to help support them through the transition. "It's really a time of coming inward and self-reflection," she said. "I think it's an opportunity to focus on one's health, maybe especially for women who haven't been focusing on themselves." Experts say many women don’t immediately connect these symptoms to perimenopause, which can delay diagnosis and treatment. They recommend talking to a provider if symptoms begin to interfere with daily life, sleep or overall well-being. Treatment depends on a woman’s symptoms and health history, but can include lifestyle changes like exercise, balanced nutrition and stress management, as well as medical options like hormone therapy. Jessica said treatment has made a big difference. She now uses an estrogen patch and takes progesterone, which she said has helped control her symptoms and keep her active. "I feel better every day," she said. "I hope that people will be more open about it. There's no reason to suffer, especially because there's easy ways to fix these things."Resources The Menopause Society is a leading source for menopause information. The organization offers a searchable database to find menopause-certified providers, along with patient resources including "MenoNotes" and a comprehensive Menopause Guidebook.   Related: Utah family advocates for autism acceptance as demand for services growsEditors note: Jessica did not give permission to use her last name so its has been excluded from this story.  Editors note: This story was adapted from a TV broadcast script using artificial intelligence. Every story, including those adapted with AI, is reviewed by a human editor before publication to ensure that KSL's editorial standards are upheld.

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