Why Am I Not Feeling Like Myself? Early Signs of Hormonal Change
One minute you’re getting on with your day, the next you feel tearful, snappy, foggy, overwhelmed or strangely disconnected from yourself. Maybe your sleep has gone off track, your patience feels thinner, your periods have changed, or your usual coping skills just aren’t landing. It can feel unsettling, especially when you’re only in your 30s or early 40s and thinking, “Surely this isn’t menopause?” But these subtle shifts can be some of the early signs of perimenopause - and understanding them is often the first step towards feeling more in control.
That “off-balance” feeling could be your hormones talking
Hormonal change does not always arrive with the classic hot flushes many of us associate with menopause. For many women, the earliest signs are quieter, more emotional and easier to dismiss: feeling anxious for no clear reason, waking at 3am, losing focus mid-sentence, feeling irritable, or not recognising your usual self.
GenM’s Invisibility Report found that 2 in 3 perimenopausal women felt unprepared or blindsided, while 1 in 2 said they did not know what was happening to them.1 The same report found that almost half of women surveyed had not come across the term “perimenopause”.[1]
So, if you have been wondering whether stress, burnout, motherhood, work pressure or “just life” is the reason you feel different, you are not alone. But your hormones may also be part of the picture.
What is perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the transition phase before menopause, when your hormone levels - particularly oestrogen and progesterone - begin to fluctuate. You may still have regular periods, or your cycle may start to change. Menopause itself is reached when you have not had a period for 12 consecutive months.
The NHS lists symptoms of menopause and perimenopause as including changes to periods, hot flushes, night sweats, sleep problems, mood changes, poor memory, brain fog, vaginal symptoms, urinary tract infections and weight gain.2
Although perimenopause is often talked about as something that happens in your 40s, signs can begin earlier. GenM’s report also found that a quarter of women are possibly perimenopausal by the age of 40.[1]
Early signs of perimenopause you might not expect
There are many possible symptoms of perimenopause, and they can vary from woman to woman. GenM highlights that menopause can involve up to 48 signs, yet 51% of women can name only three.[1]
Here are some early signs to look out for.
1. Mood swings, anxiety or feeling overwhelmed
You may feel more reactive than usual, more tearful, more irritable, or suddenly anxious about things you would normally handle. Some women describe it as feeling like their internal “buffer” has disappeared.
Anxiety is included in GenM’s 48 signs of menopause, alongside other emotional and cognitive symptoms such as irritability, low mood, panic attacks and brain fog.[3]
This does not mean every mood change is hormonal. But if you feel emotionally different alongside cycle changes, sleep disruption or other physical symptoms, it may be worth joining the dots.
2. Changes to your cycle
Your period may become heavier, lighter, shorter, longer, closer together or further apart. You might notice more PMS, spotting, breast tenderness or a cycle that suddenly feels less predictable.
Cycle changes are often one of the more recognisable signs of perimenopause, but they are not always the first sign. Some women experience mood, sleep or cognitive changes before their periods noticeably shift.
3. Sleep disruption and 3am wake-ups
Waking in the night, struggling to get back to sleep, feeling hot, experiencing night sweats or waking with a racing mind can all be linked to hormonal change. The NHS lists sleep problems as a symptom of menopause and perimenopause, while GenM includes insomnia, night sweats and fatigue among the 48 signs.[2,3]
Poor sleep can then amplify everything else: mood swings, cravings, brain fog, low resilience and feeling overwhelmed.
4. Brain fog and memory blips
Forgetting words, losing your train of thought, rereading the same email, or walking into a room and wondering why you are there can feel alarming. But brain fog and memory changes are commonly reported during perimenopause and menopause.
The NHS includes poor memory and brain fog among symptoms of menopause and perimenopause.[2] GenM also lists brain fog, difficulty concentrating and memory lapses among the 48 signs.[3]
5. Skin, body and energy changes
Hormonal fluctuations can show up physically too. You may notice breakouts, drier skin, changes in hair texture, headaches, joint aches, breast tenderness, bloating, fatigue or weight changes - especially if your sleep and stress levels are also affected.
GenM’s 48 signs include acne, altered skin, headaches, joint pain, fatigue and weight gain among the signs women may experience.[3]
6. Low libido, vaginal dryness or bladder changes
Some women notice changes in libido, vaginal comfort, bladder urgency, recurrent UTIs or dryness earlier than expected. These symptoms can feel harder to talk about, but they are common and support is available.
The NHS lists vaginal problems and recurrent urinary tract infections among menopause and perimenopause symptoms.[2] GenM also includes vaginal dryness, loss of libido and bladder weakness in its 48 signs.[3]
Why it can be hard to recognise the symptoms of perimenopause
For women aged 32–45, perimenopause can be especially easy to miss. You may be juggling work, relationships, children, fertility decisions, caring responsibilities, fitness goals and a busy social life. Feeling tired, short-tempered or unlike yourself can be written off as “just stress”.
But GenM’s research shows the knowledge gap is real. Half of women surveyed could not name any phases of menopause, even when prompted, and almost half had not come across the term perimenopause.[1]
That is why education matters. When you understand the signs, you can stop blaming yourself and start asking better questions about what your body needs.
Download our FREE Hormone Health Guide
Wondering whether your symptoms could be connected?
Download Efamol's free Hormone Health Guide, written by Charlotte Hunter, Menopause Nutritionist. It is designed to help you understand whether your symptoms could be signs of hormonal change and guide you with actionable tips to help you feel more like yourself again.
Download your FREE Hormone Health Guide, written by Charlotte Hunter, Menopause Nutritionist:
When to speak to your GP
Perimenopause is natural, but that does not mean you have to struggle through it. Speak to your GP or healthcare professional if your symptoms are affecting your daily life, relationships, work, sleep or mental wellbeing.
You should also seek medical advice if you have very heavy bleeding, bleeding between periods, bleeding after sex, sudden severe symptoms, or symptoms that feel unusual for you. Other health conditions can sometimes overlap with perimenopause, so it is always worth checking.
Feeling like yourself again starts with understanding your body
Feeling “not quite yourself” can be confusing, especially when your life looks normal on the outside but inside you feel off-balance. The good news is that these changes are not in your head - and you do not have to decode them alone.
Learning the early signs of perimenopause can help you understand your body, find the right support and take practical steps towards feeling more like you again.
Download our free hormone health guide today and start joining the dots.
Efamol x GenM: Making Menopause Support More Visible
Efamol is proud to partner with GenM, the menopause partner for brands, to help make menopause and perimenopause support more visible, accessible and easier to understand. Our Efamol Evening Primrose Oil products and Active Memory proudly display the MTick - the universal shopping symbol designed to help people identify products that may be suitable for those experiencing menopause and perimenopause signs. It is part of our commitment to helping women feel more informed, supported and confident as they navigate hormonal change.
References
- GenM. Invisibility Report. GenM, 2020.
- NHS. Symptoms of menopause and perimenopause. NHS, reviewed 17 May 2022.
- GenM. 48 Signs of Menopause. Menologue by GenM.
