Perimenopause: what Davina McCall’s discussions can teach you

Hormone activity changes during this transition, so symptoms may appear, settle and return at different times. Perimenopause can present with irregular periods, missed periods, heavy periods, hot flushes or night sweats. Some people also notice irritability, anxiety, low mood, brain fog, sleep disruption or reduced sexual desire. Davina McCall’s public conversations may make these experiences easier to recognise, but an online account cannot establish the cause of your symptoms.

Keep a simple record of bleeding, temperature symptoms, sleep, mood, headaches and medicines. Note what interrupts work, relationships or rest. Regular meals, movement suited to your energy, a cool bedroom and reducing personal triggers may help. Arrange a clinician appointment if symptoms are affecting daily life; take your symptom record and mention contraception, pregnancy possibility, existing conditions and medicines.

Seek prompt medical advice for bleeding that is unusually heavy, prolonged or occurring after sex, or for a missed period when pregnancy is possible. Get urgent help for severe pain, fainting, marked weakness, chest pain, trouble breathing or thoughts of self-harm. A clinician can check for causes other than perimenopause and discuss suitable treatment options.

Ask which symptoms fit perimenopause, whether you need an examination or tests, how to manage troublesome bleeding or flushes, and which options suit your health history. Ask when to return if symptoms change.