What should you know about Davina McCall and perimenopause symptoms?

During the menopause transition, ovarian hormone levels fluctuate rather than changing in a single step. Periods may become irregular, arrive closer together or farther apart, become heavier or be missed. Temperature changes can cause hot flushes and night sweats, while sleep disruption may make concentration and mood harder to manage.

Symptoms can occur in different combinations and may overlap with thyroid problems, anaemia, pregnancy, medication effects or other health conditions. A clinician can use your pattern, age, history and examination to decide whether testing or another assessment is needed.

Record bleeding, flushes, night sweats, sleep, mood, headaches, vaginal symptoms and changes in sexual desire. Note triggers, such as warmth, alcohol, stress or crowded rooms, if you notice them. Lightweight clothing, a cool bedroom, regular meals and a consistent sleep routine may make symptoms easier to manage.

Tell your clinician if heavy periods leave you tired, if missed periods could represent pregnancy or if symptoms interfere with work, relationships or daily tasks. Treatment choices should reflect your medical history and the symptoms you want to address.

Arrange medical review for very heavy bleeding, bleeding between periods, bleeding after sex, persistent pelvic pain, or a pattern that changes suddenly. Seek urgent help for fainting, severe pain, shortness of breath, chest pain or thoughts of self-harm. Do not assume every new symptom is part of perimenopause.

Ask whether your symptoms fit perimenopause, whether heavy or irregular bleeding needs investigation, how pregnancy is excluded when periods are missed, which treatments could help and when to return if the pattern changes.