Millennial Women Sound Alarm on Perimenopause

Reddit thread reveals lack of awareness, varied symptoms

Many women are caught off guard by perimenopause, the transitional stage before menopause. A recent Reddit thread highlights widespread unawareness and a diverse range of symptoms experienced by millennial women, sparking a crucial conversation.

Reddit User Sparks Discussion

A user, RhinestoneToad, initiated a discussion on Reddit’s r/Millennials forum, sharing their own experience entering perimenopause at age 37. They noted the lack of education and awareness surrounding this phase of life.

“Perimenopause PSA to all older millennial vagina havers,” the post was titled, and it quickly garnered attention from other women who resonated with the sentiment.

Symptoms Vary Greatly

RhinestoneToad described the unpredictable nature of periods during perimenopause, stating, “Anything is possible with the periods themselves.” They also mentioned mood swings and acne, reminiscent of puberty.

The North American Menopause Society reports that perimenopause typically begins in a woman’s 40s, but can start in their 30s (NAMS 2023).

Experiences Shared, Validation Found

Thousands of comments flooded the post, with women sharing their personal experiences and offering support. Many expressed feeling isolated and confused by their symptoms, struggling to get a diagnosis from doctors.

One Redditor, Recent-Ad-7624, questioned, “Somehow, no one mentioned it to me either??? Like, why don’t we talk about this puberty 2.0??? Is it a secret????”

Battling for Diagnosis

One user, masked_fragments, age 43, detailed their symptoms which included cystic acne, headaches, fatigue, and lower back pain. Despite having many perimenopause symptoms, their doctor was hesitant to diagnose them due to regular periods.

Just makes me feel like with everything involving women’s health, no one takes it seriously until it’s extreme,” wrote masked_fragments.

Additional Symptoms Emerge

Other symptoms mentioned by Redditors included dry eyes, insomnia, and worsening periods. Some suggested following the We Do Not Care Club on Instagram, founded by Melani Sanders, an advocate for women’s health during perimenopause and menopause.

Another user, Alternative_Sky_3736, described their experience: “I’ve had brain fog, hip pain, extremely dry eyes, my periods and period cramps are worse, and it’s been difficult to sleep (even though I’m exhausted for days leading up to my period).”

Itchy Ears and More

The conversation expanded to include less commonly known symptoms like itchy ears and tinnitus. Some women reported having to fight for their concerns to be taken seriously by healthcare providers.

cherrymanic shared, “Itchy ears, tinnitus, vagina on fire, random pops of anxiety…the list is endless, and the longer it gets, the less the doctors listen.”

Breaking the Stigma

One Redditor, bitsybear1727, suggested that the lack of discussion around perimenopause might be due to the anti-aging shame women face. By being open and honest, we can break the cycle.

Another user, Alternative_Sky_3736, is trying to be “the perimenopause fairy and spread the word so people aren’t shocked when it starts.”