For this stage
Perimenopause
Cycles changing, symptoms shifting.
Hot flushes, night sweats, irregular cycles, HRT tracking.
What we track for you
- Cycle changes month to month
- Hot flushes, night sweats, sleep
- Mood, brain fog, libido
- HRT response
Red flags we surface
- · Heavy or prolonged bleeding
- · Bleeding after sex
- · Symptoms severe enough to affect work or relationships
When any of these show up across your logs, you get a prompt and the GPS opens with the right questions ready.
What's happening
Perimenopause can start in your late 30s. It's not 'just getting older' — it's a hormonal transition you can name and treat.
Perimenopause is the years of fluctuating hormones leading up to menopause (your final period). It can last 4–10 years.
Cycles get unpredictable. Symptoms can include hot flushes, night sweats, brain fog, anxiety, joint pain, low libido, vaginal dryness, palpitations. Many people are misdiagnosed with depression or anxiety first.
How it usually unfolds
Early peri
Cycles still regular but PMS, sleep and mood start changing. Often misread as stress.
Mid peri
Cycles shorten, then become erratic. Hot flushes, night sweats and anxiety land.
Late peri
Periods skip months. Symptoms can peak. Genitourinary symptoms (GSM) start.
Menopause
12 months with no period. Symptoms often continue for years.
Symptoms you might notice
Hot flushes / night sweats
The classics. Can wake you 4+ times a night.
Sleep collapse
Falling asleep is fine, staying asleep isn't. Common from early peri.
Anxiety + low mood
New, sudden, cyclical anxiety is often peri — not a 'mental health' problem.
Brain fog
Words missing, focus wobbly. Real, measurable, and improves on HRT for most.
Joint aches
Falling oestrogen affects joints, often shoulders/hips.
Vaginal dryness
Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). Vaginal oestrogen helps quickly.
Heavy or flooding periods
Common in peri but worth investigating to rule out fibroids/polyps.
Self-care that actually helps
Strength training 2–3x a week
Protects bone, muscle and metabolic health for the next 40 years.
Protein at every meal
Aim for 1.2–1.6g per kg body weight.
Sleep hygiene
Cooler bedroom, dimmer evenings, magnesium. HRT often fixes the sleep itself.
Push for the right care
If your GP won't prescribe HRT and you want it, ask for a different GP or a menopause specialist.
When to see a clinician
Same week
- · Bleeding after sex
- · Periods 7+ days or flooding through clothes
- · New severe headaches
Worth a chat
- · Symptoms wrecking work or relationships
- · Mood changes you don't recognise
- · Vaginal symptoms affecting daily life
Questions to ask your doctor
- Could this be perimenopause?
- Am I suitable for HRT — and which type?
- Can I also have vaginal oestrogen?
- Could I benefit from testosterone for libido/energy?
- What's the plan if this isn't working in 3 months?
Myths vs facts
Myth: You need a blood test to diagnose peri.
Truth: Diagnosis is clinical (symptoms + age). FSH bloods are often misleading in peri.
Myth: HRT causes breast cancer.
Truth: Modern body-identical HRT has a small risk profile — and for many, the benefits outweigh.
Myth: It's too early at 42.
Truth: It isn't. Average UK menopause is 51 — peri can start 10 years before.
Quick FAQs
Can I take HRT if I still have periods?
Yes — cyclical HRT is designed for exactly that.
How long does peri last?
Average 4 years; up to 10. Symptoms often continue into early postmenopause.
What you walk into appointments with
A 1-page summary built from your logs, ready to hand over. See what it looks like:
See a sample summaryStart here
2 minutes to set up. Cancel any time.