The Perimenopause Symptom List I Almost Didn't Write

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Now, onto today’s piece: The Perimenopause Symptom List I Almost Didn’t Write.

Here's what I am about to do: Give you a symptom list. Yes, one of those overwhelming, fear-driven lists you see everywhere.

But here's why I almost didn't.

Because I had a moment where I caught myself trying to control the narrative you might build for yourself. I realized my own fear was creeping in…my fear that you'd see this list and decide you're broken. My fear that it would fuel the "F*%k hormones" or "Yep, perimenopause did this to me" narrative that I see too often.

But then I paused again realizing that is not up to me. I can’t control that, I can control my delivery though.

Lists don't have to be scary. They don't need to become your identity. And honestly? If I'm so worried about how you'll interpret information that I withhold it altogether, then that fear could actually lessen the impact I'm trying to make.

So here we are.

I'm going to lay out some of the common symptoms that often come to the surface, get louder, and even come out of nowhere during perimenopause. Not to scare you. Not to blame your history. Not to suggest everything is "just hormones." And definitely not to let you off the hook from looking at what's in your control now.

But also? I know how it feels when something happens in your body and it's 100% outside your control. It sucks. Like really, really royal-level sucks. And the last thing you want in that moment is someone chirping at you about how it's probably your fault.

Been there. Not helpful. And not what I aim to do today.