What is a common symptom of perimenopause?

During perimenopause, which is the transitional phase leading up to menopause, many women experience a range of symptoms due to fluctuating hormone levels, particularly estrogen and progesterone. Insomnia and mood changes are commonly reported during this time. Hormonal fluctuations can lead to sleep disturbances, making it difficult for women to fall asleep or stay asleep, thus resulting in insomnia. Additionally, these hormonal changes can affect mood regulation, leading to issues such as irritability, anxiety, or depressive symptoms.

In contrast, regular menstrual cycles tend to become irregular during perimenopause rather than remain consistent. Increased fertility is typically associated with younger reproductive years, not perimenopause, where fertility begins to decline. Heavy menstrual bleeding can occur for some women, but it is not universally experienced and does not capture the broader symptomatology seen during this transitional phase. Therefore, insomnia and mood changes stand out as a more typical and widespread experience among women navigating perimenopause.