Could this be perimenopause?
Has your sleep changed? Are your periods becoming less predictable? Perhaps you feel more tired, anxious, forgetful or simply not quite like yourself.
Perimenopause can affect far more than your menstrual cycle, and the signs are not always easy to connect.
Foreshore helps you explore the wider picture, understand what may be contributing and identify the right next step.
You know something has changed
Perhaps you have noticed:
Changes in the timing, length or flow of your periods
Difficulty falling asleep or waking during the night
Hot flushes or night sweats
Fatigue or reduced energy
Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
Mood changes, irritability or increased anxiety
Headaches or migraines
Weight or body composition changes
Reduced libido
Vaginal dryness or discomfort
Heart palpitations
Joint or muscle aches
Perimenopause can look different for everyone. Some people experience several noticeable symptoms, while others have only one or two.
What is perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the transition leading up to menopause, when hormone levels begin to fluctuate and menstrual cycles may change.
It often begins in the 40s, but symptoms can start earlier. The transition may last for several years, and symptoms can change over time.
Menopause itself is reached after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, where there is no other medical explanation.
Is it perimenopause, or something else?
Many symptoms associated with perimenopause can also have other causes.
Fatigue, sleep disruption, mood changes and changes to your cycle may sometimes be connected to:
Thyroid conditions
Iron deficiency or anemia
Vitamin deficiencies
Pregnancy
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Stress, anxiety or depression
Certain medicines
Other gynecological or medical conditions
Understanding your symptoms in context can help identify whether perimenopause is likely and whether anything else should be investigated.
There is no single test that tells the whole story
Perimenopause is usually assessed using your age, symptoms, medical history and changes to your menstrual cycle.
Hormone levels can fluctuate considerably during this transition. A result taken on one day may therefore provide only a limited snapshot and may not confirm or rule out perimenopause.
Testing may still be helpful in some circumstances, particularly when:
Symptoms begin at a younger age
Period changes are unusual or difficult to explain
Pregnancy is possible
Another condition needs to be ruled out
A clinician identifies a specific reason to test
The goal should not be to order every available hormone test. It should be to choose the investigations that are appropriate for you.
Start with what has changed
Foreshore begins with your experience, rather than asking you to select a test panel without guidance.
We look at your symptoms, cycle changes, health history and goals to help build a clearer picture of what may be happening.
Start with what has changed
Foreshore begins with your experience, rather than asking you to select a test panel without guidance.
We look at your symptoms, cycle changes, health history and goals to help build a clearer picture of what may be happening.
How Foreshore works
1. Tell us what you are experiencing
Complete a guided health assessment covering your symptoms, menstrual cycle, medical history and what has changed.
2. Receive appropriate clinical guidance
Your information is reviewed to help assess whether perimenopause may be involved and whether further investigation is appropriate.
3. Complete recommended testing, where useful
Testing may be used to explore other possible causes or answer a specific clinical question. It is not automatically required for everyone.
4. Understand your results
Receive a clear explanation of your results in the context of your symptoms, rather than a list of numbers without meaning.
5. Explore your next steps
Depending on your needs, the next step may include further clinical assessment, lifestyle support or a discussion with a qualified healthcare professional about treatment options.
You do not need to wait until symptoms become unbearable
Changes during perimenopause can affect your sleep, confidence, relationships and ability to function at work or at home.
You do not need to have every symptom, and you do not need to wait until your periods have stopped before seeking support.
Foreshore is being designed to help you understand what is changing and move forward with greater clarity.
When to seek medical advice
Speak with a healthcare professional if your symptoms are affecting your daily life or if you are concerned about changes to your menstrual cycle.
You should seek prompt medical advice if you experience:
Very heavy bleeding
Bleeding between periods
Bleeding after sex
Periods that become much more frequent
New bleeding after 12 months without a period
Severe pelvic pain
Symptoms of anemia, such as marked weakness, dizziness or shortness of breath
Symptoms beginning before age 40
These symptoms do not necessarily mean that something serious is wrong, but they should be assessed.
Important information
Foreshore does not provide emergency care. Information provided through this website is for general educational purposes and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Perimenopause cannot always be confirmed through blood testing. Any assessment or testing pathway should consider your age, symptoms, menstrual history, medical history and individual clinical needs.