Menopause is something every woman will experience, yet for many it still comes as a surprise. One day you feel like yourself, and then slowly, sometimes subtly, sometimes quite suddenly, things begin to shift. Your sleep changes. Your mood feels different. Your body reacts in ways you don’t always recognise.
If this sounds familiar, you are absolutely not alone.
Around 80% of women experience symptoms during perimenopause and menopause, and for about 1 in 4 women, these symptoms can significantly impact daily life. And yet, many women go through this phase without clear information or support.
The menopause transition, also known as perimenopause, is a natural phase in which your ovaries gradually produce less oestrogen and progesterone. These hormones influence almost every system in your body, from your brain and mood to your skin, metabolism, and even how well you sleep. So when they fluctuate, it makes sense that you feel it.
You might recognise small everyday moments like standing in front of the fridge wondering what you came for, waking up at 3am for no clear reason, or suddenly feeling overheated in a room where everyone else seems perfectly comfortable. These are not random changes. They are part of your body adjusting to a new hormonal balance.
It is important to understand that menopause is not a disease. It is a normal life stage. But just because it is natural does not mean you have to “just get on with it.” With the right knowledge and support, this phase can feel much more manageable, and even empowering.
If you would like clear, science-based guidance tailored to real life, you can join my She Pura Vida platform, where I guide women step by step through menopause, lifestyle, and wellbeing. And if you prefer personal support, you can always book a consultation with me, Dr Femke, so we can look at your situation together.
Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause Explained
Menopause is often used as a general term, but it actually consists of three different phases.
Perimenopause is the phase leading up to menopause and often starts in your late thirties or early forties. During this time, hormone levels fluctuate, sometimes quite unpredictably. This is when many women first notice changes, such as irregular periods, heavier or lighter bleeding, or the first appearance of symptoms like mood swings or sleep disturbances.
Menopause itself is just one single moment in time. It is officially reached when you have not had a menstrual period for twelve consecutive months. The average age is around 51, but this can vary from woman to woman.
After this, you enter postmenopause, which lasts for the rest of your life. Hormone levels remain low, and while some symptoms, like hot flushes, may improve over time, others can persist. At the same time, this phase becomes increasingly important for your long-term health, especially when it comes to your bones, heart, and metabolism.
Menopause Symptoms: More Than Just Hot Flushes
When people think about menopause, they often think about hot flushes. But in reality, menopause can affect almost every part of your body.
Hormones like oestrogen and progesterone play a role far beyond reproduction. They influence your brain, your muscles, your joints, your skin, your bladder, and even your emotional resilience. That is why symptoms can feel so varied, and sometimes confusing.
Many women describe feeling “not quite like themselves.” You might feel more tired than usual, less focused, or more sensitive to stress. You may notice changes in your body composition, your skin becoming drier, or your joints feeling stiffer. Others experience anxiety, low mood, or a reduced libido.
Some women have only a few mild symptoms, while others experience multiple symptoms at the same time. Both experiences are completely valid.
A key message I always emphasise is this: menopause is not just about hot flushes. It is a whole-body transition.
If you are unsure which symptoms may be related to hormonal changes, I recommend going through a structured symptom checklist. It can often bring clarity and reassurance to see how many of your experiences actually fit within this phase.
→ Check my Menopause Symptom Checklist
You can also download the menopause brochure in English or Dutch, to read anytime or share with friends.