9 Symptoms of Perimenopause

Perimenopause doesn’t usually show up all at once — and it rarely looks the way most of us expect.

For many women over 40, the first signs are subtle. Easy to overlook. Easy to explain away as stress, work, or “just getting older.”

In this video, I walk through 9 perimenopause symptoms women over 40 shouldn’t ignore — and how they often begin quietly, long before you realize what’s really happening in your body.

I’m Kimberly Hoyt, a physician assistant with over 20 years in medicine, and I’m walking through this season right alongside you. If you’ve been thinking something feels different, this video will help you connect the dots.

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Medical Disclaimer:
The information shared on this channel is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Kimberly Hoyt, PA-C, and associated content are not a substitute for professional medical care, diagnosis, or treatment. Viewing this content does not establish a patient-provider relationship. Always consult your own healthcare provider before making changes to your health plan, starting supplements, or addressing medical concerns.

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Medical Disclaimer: The information shared on this channel is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Kimberly Hoyt, PA-C, and associated content are not a substitute for professional medical care, diagnosis, or treatment. Viewing/Listening to this content does not establish a patient-provider relationship. Always consult your own healthcare provider before making changes to your health plan, starting supplements, or addressing medical concerns.

General Disclaimer: I am not a CPA, attorney, insurance/real estate agent, contractor, lender, or financial advisor. The content in these episodes shall not be construed as tax, legal, financial advice, or other and may be outdated or inaccurate; it is your responsibility to verify all information yourself. This is a podcast for entertainment purposes ONLY.

Transcript

Kimberly Hoyt: 0:00

Perimenopause doesn't always announce itself with dramatic hot flashes or missed periods. For most of us, it sneaks in quietly. Your cycle shifts a little bit, sleep feels different, your energy dips, and you start thinking what is going on with my body? I'm Kimberly Hoyt, a physician assistant who's been practicing for over 20 years and. A woman in her forties walking through these changes right alongside you. And honestly, I've been surprised at how subtle some of these first signs for me were. It's easy to blame stress or work or just getting older, but these little changes are your body's way of saying. Hey, something's shifting. In this video, we are breaking down nine perimenopause symptoms every woman over 40 shouldn't ignore, and how often they start long before you realize what's really happening. And stick around because number nine is one most women would never connect to perimenopause, but it might explain a few things you've been noticing. All right. Number one, hot flashes and night sweats. Hot flashes don't always start as full body firestorms. Early on, they can feel like random, warm waves. Maybe your cheeks or your chest heat up for a few seconds, or maybe you wake up slightly sweaty and just wonder if the thermostat was off. Later, they turn into those classic whole body surges, sometimes followed by a chill. Why is this happening? Estrogen helps regulate your internal thermostat. When it starts swinging, your brain can overreact to tiny temperature changes. You're not broken. Your body is just testing some new settings. Number two, period changes your cycle is one of the first things to shift. Maybe it shows up a few days early or a few days late. Maybe it's heavier one month and lighter the next. At first, it's easy to shrug this off as maybe I'm just a little stressed, but those subtle shifts mean your hormones are losing their perfect rhythm. Your ovaries don't release an egg every month now, which lowers progesterone, the hormone that keeps your lining stable. So when estrogen runs the show, your period can do all sorts of things, come early, last longer, hit heavier. This is your body's rhythm changing. It's not just misbehaving. Number three, sleep problems. You fall asleep, fine, but suddenly it's 3:00 AM and you're wide awake. You scroll, you toss. Maybe fall asleep for a few hours before the alarm clock hits. That's often how it begins. Not full insomnia. Just those middle of the night wake up that make mornings harder. Here's why. Progesterone, the calming hormone that helps you stay asleep, starts dipping. Add in some of those small temperature changes or a little bit of stress, and your brain thinks it's time to problem solve instead of rest. So next time you're awake at 3:00 AM remember, it's not just stress, it's hormones doing some night duty. Number four, mood shifts. This one's kind of sneaky. Maybe you're more irritable, a bit more anxious, or tears come easier than they used to. Later, the swings can get a little bit stronger. Big waves of frustration or sadness that catch you totally off guard. Estrogen and progesterone both talk to your brain's mood, chemicals, your serotonin, your dopamine, your gaba. When those hormones fluctuate, your emotions can too. So if you feel off, it's not weakness, it's just the chemicals. Number five, vaginal dryness and discomfort. You might notice intimacy feels different. Maybe a little drier, maybe more friction. At first, it's mild. Later it can turn into irritation or even pain. That happens because estrogen keeps those tissues hydrated, elastic, and supple. As levels dip, there's less moisture and less cushion. It's extremely common and absolutely treatable. Moisturizers, lubricants and local estrogen can restore comfort fast. You don't have to push through the pain. Number six, which goes along with this lower sex drive. You still love your partner, but that spark just takes a little bit longer to light. You need more rest, more connection or calm before that desire shows up. That's normal. As sleep, stress and hormones change. So does the libido. It's not gone. It just needs a little extra fuel. Addressing sleep, stress, and comfort brings it back. if any of this sounds familiar, take a second to like this video and subscribe. It helps more women realize that they're not alone. Okay, moving on. Number seven, brain fog. Ever forget what you walked into the room for. Lose a word, mid-sentence. That's perimenopausal brain fog. It starts small, little lapses, tiny hesitations. Later it can feel like. Focus and memory just aren't as sharp. Estrogen supports your brain's memory circuits, so when it dips, and especially when sleep suffers, those circuits just lag a little bit. Your brain's not broken. It's just kind of buffering, and once those hormones settle in, clarity returns. Number eight, fatigue. That deep bone tired feeling that doesn't match what you actually did today. That's that perimenopausal fatigue early on. It's mild, slower mornings, harder afternoons. Later it can feel like no amount of coffee helps. Hormone shifts throw off cortisol. The stress energy hormone, sleep loss, and mood strain pile on. Your body isn't lazy. It's just asking for recovery. And number nine. This one is crazy to me. Aches and joint stiffness. Your hands, your shoulders, your knees, they can just feel stiffer than they used to. Estrogen helps keep inflammation in check, so when those levels fall off, joints can feel creakier or sore. You didn't suddenly age 10 years overnight. It's just another hormonal ripple. Movement, hydration and strength training helps a lot here. There are some common things that we see in perimenopausal women that you may not relate to perimenopause. Frozen shoulder is one that shows up around this time, and plantar fasciitis type symptoms can be a ripple effect from these hormone changes. All right. We made it through those nine symptoms. Now, perimenopause doesn't happen overnight, and it's different for everyone. These symptoms aren't a sign that your body's falling apart. They're your body communicating. If you're over 40 and are starting to notice even a few of these, like your cycle changing, sleep acting up, mood shifting, it's time to listen and support your body in new ways. And we're just getting started. In my next video, we're diving into the unusual symptoms of perimenopause that no one is talking about, but every woman should know. So make sure you subscribe and turn on your notifications, and if this video helped you connect the dots, please share it with a friend. You might help her do the same.