Many people assume that perimenopause only begins when periods stop or hot flashes arrive. But the truth is it can be more subtle: you might already be in perimenopause, even if your periods are still pretty regular or your symptoms feel vague. Recognizing this transition early gives you a chance to respond proactively rather than react after things feel too chaotic.

Let’s walk through how perimenopause often hides in plain sight, which signs to watch for, and what steps you can take now.

If you feel like your body is suddenly reacting to more and more foods, you’re not alone. It can be confusing and frustrating and you might even start to wonder: “Am I allergic to everything??” This is a very common pattern, and one major contributor is something called leaky gut, paired with an overloaded immune system.

Do you find yourself drifting through your day, mentally fuzzy, missing appointments, or constantly distracted, even when you should be focused? Maybe your mind feels like it’s wrapped in cotton wool, small tasks feel overwhelming, and despite doing all the “right” self-care, your to-do list only grows longer. It’s easy

Waking between 2 – 4 AM, wide awake and restless, can be exhausting week after week. You may lie there feeling wired, anxious, or simply unable to fall back asleep. It can leave you dragging through your day, craving sugar, feeling foggy, or emotionally frayed. What’s worse, standard sleep tips, like

You’ve noticed it. Your hairbrush fills faster than it used to. Your ponytail feels thinner. The part in your hair looks just a bit wider than last year. For many women, hair thinning creeps in slowly, and it’s easy to dismiss it as “just stress” or “part of getting older.”

Bloating after every meal. That stubborn constipation that just won’t budge. Or maybe it’s the opposite: frequent, urgent trips to the bathroom that leave you wondering what on earth is going on. You might be feeling tired for no reason, noticing changes in your skin, or dealing with mood swings