When it comes to women's health, menopause isn't the first thing that comes to mind. Even then, the real story isn't about menopause itself... it's perimenopause — the stage leading up to it. And for a long time (let's be honest... almost all of history), hardly anyone was talking about it. Until now!

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It's 2025 and it's a year where perimenopause is having its moment. Celebrities like Halle Berry are advocating for women's health and menopause care 💞. In Australia, journalist Jessica Rowe has spoken openly on social media about her perimenopausal journey, including her experience with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). 

This isn't just about celebrities though. It's about every day women too, many of which discover perimenopause after months or years of confusing symptoms. From social media posts about first symptoms, to community forums sharing frustrations at not being taken seriously by doctors, these stories are creating a powerful ripple effect. Slowly but surely, women are realising they aren't alone in this, and menopause is shifting from a private worry to a public health priority! 

What Exactly Is Perimenopause? 🤔

Perimenopause looks different for everyone. For some it's subtle shifts, whereas for others, it can literally feel like you've become a completely different person (not in a good way). This transition between fertility and menopause typically lasts 2 - 8 years and includes multiple stages. 

The 3 stages of transition include:

1) Perimenopause → The time leading to menopause.
2) Post menopause → After perimenopause, estrogen levels remain low and you no longer experience a period. 
3) Menopause → 12 consecutive months without menstruation. 

 

What's Happening In The Body? 

During perimenopause, some mature eggs remain in the ovaries, leading to irregular ovulation and periods. This irregularity triggers fluctuations in the production of estrogen and progesterone, which persists until a gradual decline to very low levels 📉. 

In post menopause and menopause, the ovaries stop producing these hormones, resulting in the end of periods and fertility in general. 

During perimenopause when estrogen and progesterone are fluctuating unpredictably, it creates a domino effect across the body, influencing everything from sleep and mood, to metabolism and sexual health. 

Here's a breakdown of the most common symptoms of perimenopause:

Irregular Periods 🗓️

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Why it happens

Hormonal fluctuations lead to lighter, heavier, erratic and/or missed cycles. 

How to manage

○ Track your cycle to notice any patterns or changes. If your period becomes extremely heavy or painful, it's a good idea to speak to a healthcare professional. 

💡 Tip: Our Cottons Pre-Menopause Pads were designed exactly for this — to give extra support during the erratic, heavy flows perimenopause tends to bring. 

 

Sleep Disturbance 🥱

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Why it happens

Declining estrogen and progesterone, along with rising cortisol (the stress hormone) not only disrupts the production of melatonin, but makes it hard for the body to regulate temperature 🌡️ — causing hot flashes, night sweats and restless nights . 

How to manage

○ Fans and air-conditioners can definitely help, but so can the type of bedding you have. Using breathable, natural fibres for sheets like cotton, instead of synthetic materials, can help keep you cool by not retaining as much heat.  

○ Staying away from alcohol is wise, as it causes cortisol to rise. It also disrupts REM (rapid eye-movement) sleep, contributing to restless nights and 'groggyness'.

○ Avoiding bright screens before bed can reduce the 3am wake-ups. Research has shown looking at bright light/screens 1 hour before sleep increases cortisol (the opposite of what you want before bed). 

○ Creating a wind-down routine (eg. a relaxing shower, stretching, mood lighting, reading, listening to music or podcasts) helps signal to the brain that it's time to relax 🧘. 

 

Mood Changes & Brain Fog 🌫️

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Why it happens

Hormone fluctuations impact neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which affects our mood, concentration and memory. 

How to manage

○ Prioritising a consistent sleep schedule is essential for the body and brain to recover to the best of their abilities. 

○ Regular exercise like walking, yoga, pilates and strength training help regulate hormones and improve mood and cognition. 

💡 Tip: Stress management techniques like deep breathing exercises or laying down for a yoga nidra can help stabilize mood, brain fog and energy levels ⚖️. 

 

Hot Flashes & Sweating 🥵

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Why it happens

Estrogen fluctuations affect the hypothalamus (the body's thermostat), triggering hot flashes and sweating 💦. 

How to manage

○ Wearing clothing made from breathable materials (like cotton, linen, hemp, bamboo) can reduce the intensity of overheating. Layering is also recommended so you can easily 'strip' when necessary. 

○ Avoiding things like spicy foods 🌶️, hot drinks and alcohol can help manage hot flashes and reduce frequency. 

 

Changes To Mood & Sex Drive 📉

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Why it happens

The decrease of estrogen and progesterone can reduce libido and affect emotional stability. 

How to manage

 ○ Open communication with your partner regarding your feelings and experience with your menopause journey is important to create less friction and more understanding ☮️.

○ When it comes to the sensation of sex, lubricants can be very effective to help with vaginal dryness. 

 

Bladder Leaks 💧

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Why it happens

The drop in estrogen results in the thinning of vaginal tissue. This reduces elasticity and can end up weakening the pelvic floor muscles (the muscles responsible for bladder control), leading to bladder problems 🚽. 

How to manage

 ○ Pelvic floor exercises (like Kegels) help strengthen the pelvic floor, and can be done anywhere, anytime at any age and for absolutely free! To learn more about pelvic floor exercises and bladder weakness in general, 'Continence Health Australia' is a fantastic resource. You can even speak to a registered continence nurse for personal advice 📞. 

○ Staying hydrated, maintaining a well-balanced diet and avoiding trigger foods (like spice, alcohol, caffeine, fizzy drinks) can help. Consulting a healthcare professional is also useful to see what treatment options are available 🩺. 

💡 Tip: For those moments when leaks do happen, our incontinence range 'Comforts' can be very useful as they were specifically designed for women with bladder leaks. Our pads are made from 100% natural cotton 🌱, are kind to sensitive skin 🥰, and lock away liquid quickly to keep you feeling dry, comfortable, and protected 🌸 — so you can go about your day with confidence and comfort! 

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For too long, perimenopause has been the 'plot twist' no one prepared us for, however slowly but surely, that's been changing. By speaking up, sharing stories and demanding better education and care, women are reclaiming control of this transformative period of their lives. 

It's important to remember that menopause isn't the end of vitality — it's the beginning of a new chapter that deserves to be understood, supported and embraced. With the right tools and awareness, we can move through it feeling informed, empowered and anything but alone 💗.