26/08/2026
Perimenopause isn’t just hot flushes.
Perimenopause is a hormonal transition that can affect many aspects of health—including menstrual cycles, sleep, energy, mood, concentration, s*xual wellbeing and bladder health.
Some people experience only mild changes. Others notice symptoms that interfere with work, relationships, exercise, sleep or their overall quality of life.
Commonly reported changes can include:
• Irregular, heavier or lighter periods
• Night sweats and hot flushes
• Poor sleep and fatigue
• Anxiety, irritability or low mood
• Brain fog and difficulty concentrating
• Headaches, palpitations or joint discomfort
• Vaginal dryness, changes in libido or urinary symptoms
However, not every symptom occurring in your 40s is necessarily caused by perimenopause. Thyroid conditions, iron deficiency, pregnancy, medication effects, sleep disorders and other health concerns may produce similar symptoms.
At Advanced Functional Medicine, we assess hormonal changes within the context of your broader health, symptoms, cycle patterns, medical history, nutrition, lifestyle and individual functional testing.
Each practitioner selects the investigations most relevant to the individual patient.
Please seek medical advice if your symptoms affect daily life, your mood is concerning, or you experience very heavy, prolonged or unusual bleeding—including bleeding between periods, after s*x or after 12 months without a period.
Perimenopause is a natural transition, but that doesn’t mean you have to struggle through significant symptoms without support.
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General information only.
This content does not replace individual medical advice.