Dr Shireen explained that perimenopause could be associated with several common symptoms, including brain fog and tiredness
If you’re dealing with unexplained symptoms such as tiredness and brain fog, it could be perimenopause, according to an NHS GP. Sharing advice on her popular TikTok account @Doctorshireen, Dr Shireen explained a few of the common symptoms that could indicate you’re experiencing perimenopause.
Perimenopause happens when you have symptoms of menopause, but your periods have not stopped. As the NHS explains: “Menopause is when your periods stop due to lower hormone levels. It usually affects women between the ages of 45 and 55, but it can happen earlier. It affects anyone who has periods.”
In her post, Dr Shireen told viewers: “If you’re over the age of 35 and you’re feeling tired and you’ve got brain fog, please listen to this video. I’m an NHS GP, and there is one thing that so many people, including many GPs, aren’t aware of.
“If you are going through a ‘normal’ menopause, you’re going to go through menopause between the ages of 49 to 51. Perimenopause, which is the period before menopause where your hormones might be fluctuating a lot, can actually start as early as the age of 36, and that’s not rare; it’s common for it to do that.”
The expert continued: “So I get women coming to see me who are tired, they’ve got brain fog, they’re irritable, they’re not sleeping, they’re sweating, and we do bloods, and we’re looking at things like their thyroid and their iron levels and it all comes back normal.
“So quite often, we might just send them on their way and say look, everything is fine, maybe it is psychological, but one thing that so often is not considered is is the beginning of menopause.”
She concluded: “So if that is you and you are having those symptoms and you have had a blood test check all of the other things, then speak to your GP, suggest perimenopause and see what they say.”
According to the NHS, menopause and perimenopause can feel different for everyone, with some people experiencing lots of symptoms and some experiencing none. Symptoms may include changes to your periods, changes to your mood, problems with memory or concentration, hot flushes, difficulty sleeping, palpitations, muscle aches, and weight gain.
The NHS says that menopause “usually affects women between the ages of 45 and 55, but it can happen earlier.” See a GP or a nurse if you think you have perimenopause or menopause symptoms. “Getting advice early can help reduce the impact perimenopause and menopause have on your health, relationships and work,” the NHS adds.