One of the major factors contributing to the difficult experience many women face during hormonal transition is the lack of awareness about the changes happening in their bodies.
Even more concerning, several international studies show that nearly half of women have never heard of perimenopause – a transitional phase that often brings more intense symptoms than menopause itself and can last between two and ten years before menstrual cycles permanently stop.
Some surprising findings:
A global study reveals that 44% of women worldwide had never heard of perimenopause before their symptoms began. This clearly shows that the issue is widespread and global. Half of the women surveyed said they were not prepared for the beginning of the menopausal transition, and 36% did not understand the difference between perimenopause and menopause.
According to another online study involving 3,150 women, 60% reported that they do not feel sufficiently informed about menopause, while over 80% believe that conversations about hormonal changes should begin as early as school age.
Another study from 2022 shows that 47% of women feel embarrassed or uncomfortable discussing the symptoms and challenges they experience during perimenopause, and 34% say they do not know how to properly take care of themselves during this period.
What Is Perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the hormonal transition leading up to menopause, typically lasting between two and ten years. It can begin as early as the late 30s or early 40s, even while menstrual cycles are still regular.
According to medical experts, this stage can involve more than 34 different symptoms, including:
- brain fog
- anxiety
- insomnia
- heart palpitations
- joint pain
- dry eyes and dry mouth
- vaginal dryness
- weight changes
- decreased libido
- hair thinning
These symptoms occur because estrogen levels do not simply decline gradually. Instead, they fluctuate significantly, creating hormonal “waves” that affect the brain, heart, metabolism, sleep, emotional health, and overall quality of life.
Why Awareness Matters
When women do not recognize this stage and are not prepared for the changes happening in their bodies, they often experience shame, guilt, or the feeling that they are “not coping well” or “complaining too much.”
Their confidence and self-esteem may suffer. Many receive incorrect diagnoses, and they may encounter misunderstanding or dismissal from family members, employers, and society.
That is why at Womeno we always emphasize one key message:
awareness is essential.
The earlier women understand what is happening in their bodies, the more confident, healthy, and supported they can feel during the perimenopause transition.
Support and Knowledge in One Place
That is exactly why we created the Womeno app – expert guidance, support, and knowledge just one click away.
In the app, all symptoms are explained in clear and accessible language. Women can also track their symptoms and cycle changes digitally, creating a personal record that can be shared with doctors and healthcare professionals for better understanding and care.
Perimenopause is not a weakness.
It is a natural biological transition that every woman deserves to understand.
Sources:
This article references findings from several recent studies: Menopause TLI. Too Little Information… The Global Conversation Deficit
https://www.avonworldwide.com/news/first-of-its-kind-research-on-menopause; An online survey of perimenopausal women to determine their attitudes and knowledge of menopause https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9244939/; The State of Menopause (2022) https://hellobonafide.com/pages/state-of-menopause-2022