Are you too young to be in perimenopause?

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If you’ve ever sat in a doctor’s office hoping for clarity and relief - only to be told you’re “just stressed” - you’re not alone. I know that this can feel frustrating but also confusing. You’re experiencing physical, emotional, and cognitive shifts that don’t feel normal, but when you ask if it could be your hormones, you’re met with skepticism or dismissal.

“You’re too young.”

“Let’s wait and see.”

“Try meditation and better sleep.”

“Maybe it’s anxiety. Let’s try antidepressants.”

These responses are all too common, and they miss the mark.

Perimenopause Can Start as Early as 35

The truth is: perimenopause can begin as early as your mid-30s - often well before your periods become irregular. It’s a slow and sometimes sneaky transition where your progesterone starts to decline and oftentimes we only start to notice when symptoms are getting more nagging.

Most women begin to have some anovulatory cycles (cycles without ovulation) by age 35. So, it makes sense that progesterone starts to decline in our mid to late 30s since progesterone is primarily produced from ovarian follicles after they have released an egg. It means that if you don’t ovulate or your ovulation is not as robust as it used to be, your progesterone levels in the 2nd half of your cycle will be very low. 

And yet so many doctors overlook the very real experiences of women who are “too young” by textbook standards - but whose bodies are already changing.

Early Signs of Perimenopause

Perimenopause doesn’t always announce itself with dramatic symptoms like night sweats or missed periods. Instead, it can begin subtly. Some of the earliest signs include:

• Increased anxiety or mood swings

• Difficulty sleeping

• Worsening PMS

• Changes in menstrual flow or cycle length (shorter cycles)

• Brain fog or forgetfulness

• Lower tolerance for stress

• Decreased libido

• Hair thinning or skin changes (adult acne)

If you’ve been experiencing some of these - and especially if you feel like you’re just not yourself anymore - it’s worth considering that perimenopause may be at play.

And just FYI - you can absolutely experience these symptoms at an even younger age just because your progesterone is low. Usually there the culprit lies in underlying infections though that stress out your body and therefore lower your progesterone production. 

“Just Stress” Isn’t the Whole Story

It’s true that most women in midlife are under more stress than ever. Juggling careers, families, aging parents, and our own health is no small task. Just living in our toxic world exposes us to so many toxins/stressors on a daily basis.  But blaming your symptoms only on stress ignores the profound physiological shifts happening in your body.

The truth is, declining hormones reduce your capacity to bounce back from stress, poor sleep, and overexertion. The strategies that worked for you in your 20s - pushing through with coffee and grit - just don’t cut it anymore. Not because you’re weak, but because your biology has changed.

You Don’t Have to “Wait It Out”

If your doctor told you to “wait until things get worse” before considering treatment like hormone replacement therapy (HRT), I want you to know: you have options right now. You don’t have to feel like you’re failing at life because you're exhausted, overwhelmed, or emotionally worn out.

Hormone therapy isn’t the only tool - but it’s a valid and effective one that deserves more thoughtful discussion and less stigma. And even if HRT isn’t the path you choose, you still deserve proper evaluation, support, and care from someone who understands the complexities of this hormonal transition.

Advocate for Yourself - And Seek Out Experts Who Truly Understand

You deserve to be heard, believed, and supported. That starts by working with someone who specializes in women's hormones and understands the nuances of perimenopause - not someone who brushes it off as "just stress."

If you're wondering whether your symptoms could be related to perimenopause, I invite you to dig deeper and reach out. Whether it's for education, support, or a personalized hormone-balancing plan, you don’t have to navigate this alone.