Hormonal changes in perimenopause can lead to weight gain, particularly in the belly. “I wish I knew how the weight gain would be so difficult to resolve.”
Learn More
Depression
Women are at particular risk for depression during perimenopause. Hormonal changes during this period may be the culprit for the uptick in depression rates. “I’m suffering with depression and loss of energy.”
Learn More
Hot flashes
Hot flashes are probably the most well-known menopause symptom. You might experience sudden heat in your body and get sweaty and flushed. “I don’t know when a hot flash will come and soak my clothes.”
Learn More
Irritability
Perimenopause can make you feel irritable. Mood issues may be related to estrogen changes, as well as other perimenopause symptoms like insomnia. “I feel bad for being so short with my loved ones.”
Learn More
Anxiety
Fluctuating hormones can lead to anxiety symptoms like worry or panic that affects your daily routines. “My anxiety spiked, and I felt out of control.”
Learn More
Brain fog
Brain fog, forgetfulness, difficulty focusing, and having a hard time remembering words are all potential cognitive symptoms of perimenopause. “I have brain fog. I can’t think straight.”
Learn More
Fatigue
Women around perimenopause age are more likely to experience serious fatigue than men. Symptoms like sleep disturbances and heavy bleeding may be to blame. “I’m exhausted all the time.”
Learn More
Dry or itchy skin
Your skin is less able to hold onto moisture in perimenopause and beyond. This can lead to dry, itchy skin. “I’m cranky and uncomfortably itchy.”
Learn More
Frozen shoulder
Frozen shoulder is an example of joint pain that can occur due to hormonal shifts in perimenopause. “When I experienced frozen shoulder, I thought I had been seriously injured.”
Learn More
Menstrual changes
Your cycle may be shorter or longer or unpredictable. Your bleeding may be heavier or lighter. “It’s challenging never knowing when you may or may not have a cycle.”
Learn More
Heart palpitations
Heart palpitations often come with hot flashes. You may feel like your heart is racing. Talk to your doctor to make sure you don’t have an underlying heart problem. “I get red and sweaty and my heart races.”
Learn More
Insomnia
Half of women in perimenopause struggle with sleep. Hormonal changes, hot flashes, and factors like stress all contribute to insomnia. “Sometimes I wake up and can’t go back to sleep.”
Learn More
Hair loss
Hormonal changes can lead to thinning hair. Women tend to notice this most in the part and hairline. “I have lost some hair, which is very depressing.”
Learn More
Low libido
Many women have less desire for sex during perimenopause because of the drop in estrogen. Painful sex due to vaginal changes can also impact libido. “My sex life is basically on hold.”
Learn More
Headaches and migraine attacks
Headaches and migraine attacks can get worse due to hormone changes in perimenopause. “I have headaches and am irritable.”
Learn More
Vaginal dryness
Drops in your estrogen levels can lead to vaginal dryness. This can make sex painful and can also cause issues with urination and infections.
[MENO-24] Hidden Symptoms of Menopause
MyHealthTeam
Created on February 25, 2026
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Transcript
Hot flashes
What people see
Weight gain
Irritability
Hair loss
Anxiety
Brain fog
Headaches and migraine attacks
Heart palpitations
Depression
What people don’t see
Insomnia
Dry or itchy skin
Low libido
Fatigue
Menstrual changes
Frozen shoulder
Vaginal dryness
Weight gain
Hormonal changes in perimenopause can lead to weight gain, particularly in the belly. “I wish I knew how the weight gain would be so difficult to resolve.”
Learn More
Depression
Women are at particular risk for depression during perimenopause. Hormonal changes during this period may be the culprit for the uptick in depression rates. “I’m suffering with depression and loss of energy.”
Learn More
Hot flashes
Hot flashes are probably the most well-known menopause symptom. You might experience sudden heat in your body and get sweaty and flushed. “I don’t know when a hot flash will come and soak my clothes.”
Learn More
Irritability
Perimenopause can make you feel irritable. Mood issues may be related to estrogen changes, as well as other perimenopause symptoms like insomnia. “I feel bad for being so short with my loved ones.”
Learn More
Anxiety
Fluctuating hormones can lead to anxiety symptoms like worry or panic that affects your daily routines. “My anxiety spiked, and I felt out of control.”
Learn More
Brain fog
Brain fog, forgetfulness, difficulty focusing, and having a hard time remembering words are all potential cognitive symptoms of perimenopause. “I have brain fog. I can’t think straight.”
Learn More
Fatigue
Women around perimenopause age are more likely to experience serious fatigue than men. Symptoms like sleep disturbances and heavy bleeding may be to blame. “I’m exhausted all the time.”
Learn More
Dry or itchy skin
Your skin is less able to hold onto moisture in perimenopause and beyond. This can lead to dry, itchy skin. “I’m cranky and uncomfortably itchy.”
Learn More
Frozen shoulder
Frozen shoulder is an example of joint pain that can occur due to hormonal shifts in perimenopause. “When I experienced frozen shoulder, I thought I had been seriously injured.”
Learn More
Menstrual changes
Your cycle may be shorter or longer or unpredictable. Your bleeding may be heavier or lighter. “It’s challenging never knowing when you may or may not have a cycle.”
Learn More
Heart palpitations
Heart palpitations often come with hot flashes. You may feel like your heart is racing. Talk to your doctor to make sure you don’t have an underlying heart problem. “I get red and sweaty and my heart races.”
Learn More
Insomnia
Half of women in perimenopause struggle with sleep. Hormonal changes, hot flashes, and factors like stress all contribute to insomnia. “Sometimes I wake up and can’t go back to sleep.”
Learn More
Hair loss
Hormonal changes can lead to thinning hair. Women tend to notice this most in the part and hairline. “I have lost some hair, which is very depressing.”
Learn More
Low libido
Many women have less desire for sex during perimenopause because of the drop in estrogen. Painful sex due to vaginal changes can also impact libido. “My sex life is basically on hold.”
Learn More
Headaches and migraine attacks
Headaches and migraine attacks can get worse due to hormone changes in perimenopause. “I have headaches and am irritable.”
Learn More
Vaginal dryness
Drops in your estrogen levels can lead to vaginal dryness. This can make sex painful and can also cause issues with urination and infections.
Learn More