Perimenopause is that in-between stage when your body starts transitioning toward menopause. It is basically the warm-up before your periods stop completely. It usually kicks in during your 40s, though it can start earlier, and it happens because estrogen levels begin to fluctuate. You might notice your periods becoming irregular, mood swings creeping in, sleep playing hard to get, and those infamous hot flashes making surprise visits. Now, as Soha Ali Khan reminds us, this stage isn't something to dread, it is something to understand.
In a video on Instagram, the actress opened up candidly about her experience with perimenopause, breaking a silence that many women still feel pressured to maintain. “This message is for women between the ages of 40 and 50, maybe even 35,” she began, explaining that while her tests confirmed she was in perimenopause, what really struck her were the things beyond the test results, “memory lapses, insomnia, anxiety, the feeling that you just aren't able to cope sometimes, that you're not the person you know to recognise.”
She nailed what so many women go through quietly: the feeling that something is shifting inside. “What's amazing is, as women, we just don't talk about this,” Soha said. “We're expected to sail through this rollercoaster of hormones silently or gracefully, whatever that means.”
“Perimenopause is not the end of youth or energy,” she said. “It is a transition and transitions deserve support, not shame.”
And support, she adds, does exist. From lifestyle changes and supplements to therapy and, for some, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which she points out “is not taboo, it's science.”
“If it is done safely, it can make this phase a whole lot smoother,” she added.
Perimenopause: Signs And Symptoms
Perimenopause looks different for everyone, but, according to WebMD, here are some of the most common signs that your body is in transition:
- Irregular periods - cycles get shorter, longer, or skip altogether.
- Hot flashes and night sweats (aka vasomotor symptoms)
- Mood swings or anxiety.
- Trouble sleeping or insomnia.
- Low energy and fatigue.
- Vaginal dryness or discomfort during sex.
- Lower sex drive.
- Forgetfulness or brain fog.
- Frequent urination or mild leakage when you sneeze or laugh.
If your bleeding gets unusually heavy, lasts longer, or happens between periods, it's worth checking with your doctor to rule out other causes like fibroids or hormone issues.
Perimenopause winds down when you haven't had a period for about a year. You might notice your symptoms peaking just before that, then things start to settle.
Perimenopause can be messy, emotional, and uncomfortable at times, but it's also just your body doing what it's designed to do.
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
