Study reveals gap between perimenopause expectations and experience

A study of 17,494 people has revealed a gap between perimenopause symptoms people expect and those they report, with fatigue and exhaustion far outranking hot flushes.

While 71 per cent associated perimenopause with hot flushes, those reporting perimenopause cited exhaustion (95 per cent) and fatigue (93 per cent) far more often.

Among more than 12,000 participants over age 35, the most common symptoms were fatigue (83 per cent), exhaustion (83 per cent), irritability (80 per cent), low mood (77 per cent), sleep problems (76 per cent), digestive issues (76 per cent) and anxiety (75 per cent).

Researchers at Mayo Clinic conducted the study with Flo, a women’s health application, assessing symptoms among 17,494 people from 158 countries.

First author Mary Hedges is a community internal medicine physician at Mayo Clinic in Florida.

Hedges said: “This study shines a light on how little we still understand about perimenopause and how much it affects people’s daily lives.

“At Mayo Clinic, we’re working to expand that understanding so we can improve awareness and guide care that truly meets the needs of each patient.”

The findings show fatigue, mood changes and sleep-related issues sit at the centre of many people’s experiences during perimenopause, the years leading up to the final menstrual period and the first year after it ends. This transition can start in the 30s and last several years.

When asked what they associate with perimenopause, participants most often named hot flushes (71 per cent), sleep problems (68 per cent) and weight gain (65 per cent).

The study distinguishes between exhaustion and fatigue, with exhaustion defined as a general decrease in performance, impaired memory, decreased concentration and forgetfulness, whilst fatigue refers to physical exhaustion.

Researchers noted that hormone shifts may disrupt the body’s natural rhythms and restorative sleep, while mood changes can be influenced by hormones, inflammation and diet.