Menopause? Me?—What It Actually Looks Like

Menopause? Me?—What It Actually Looks Like

“No one told me I could still be getting my period and be in menopause.”
“I thought I was just burnt out.”
“I kept blaming myself for not being able to cope.”

If any of this sounds familiar—you’re not alone.

For many women, the first signs of menopause don’t come with a dramatic hot flash.
They come quietly. Subtly. Inconsistently.
You might feel off. Not quite like yourself. But no one give you the words—or the space—to explain what’s happening.  For too many of us, years pass before we can label it. 

You Could Be in Menopause—Even If You’re Still Getting Your Period

Menopause marks the end of a woman’s reproductive life, as she gradually stops ovulating and her body adjusts to changing hormone rhythms.  During the transition, known as perimenopause, women experience a variety of symptoms (hot flashes anyone?), but most healthcare providers are trained to focus on period changes (more or less frequent) as the main symptom. 

Here’s what most of us were never told: 

·        Perimenopause can begin as early as your late 30s or early 40s.

·        It can last 4–10 years.

·        During this time, your hormones don’t just decline—they fluctuate wildly.

·        You can still have periods—sometimes even regular ones—and still be in perimenopause.

That’s why it’s so important to start paying attention to the clues your body is giving you.

Many healthcare providers won’t consider you menopausal (or treat you) until you’ve gone 12 months without a period. But by then, many women have spent years feeling unwell and unsupported.

So, What Are the Signs?

Here are the most common experiences women report during perimenopause and menopause:

·        Irregular or heavy periods

·        Hot flashes or night sweats

·        Brain fog or memory issues

·        Mood swings, anxiety, or rage

·        Unexplained weight gain

·        Fatigue or burnout

·        Sleep disruptions

·        Low libido or vaginal dryness

·        Joint pain, heart palpitations

·        Feeling…off

There is also growing evidence that other medical symptoms may be linked to menopause, such as:

·        Changes in cholesterol levels

·        Higher incidence of urinary tract infections

·        Loss of bone density

Some women have dozens of symptoms. Others just feel off.  And that’s enough.

You already know what you feel. 
You don’t need to wait for a lab test.
You just need to start pulling together your clues so they can become evidence.

You Can’t Manage What You Don’t Track

Here’s the problem: most of us are taught to dismiss ourselves.

We assume it’s just stress.
We are conditioned to “try harder.”
We feel unprepared to advocate for ourselves—especially when doctors say our bloodwork looks “normal.”

But without tracking what’s actually happening, it’s nearly impossible to:

·        Identify patterns

·        See what helps (or makes things worse)

·        Connect symptoms to lifestyle changes we’ve made vs things outside of our control

·        Speak confidently to a healthcare provider

·        Make informed decisions about treatments like HRT, supplements, or alternatives

Tracking is how you take the swirling chaos and start to make sense of it.
When you track consistently, you stop second-guessing.
You stop doubting what you feel.
You start building the evidence—and that evidence becomes your truth.

We Can Help You Find Your Voice

We built Bastet Rising to be your trusted partner—not to diagnose you,  but to help you claim your voice.

With Bastet, you can:

·        Log symptoms, periods, treatments—all in one place

·        Visualize patterns over time

·        Discover what correlates, what’s improving, and what needs attention

·        Learn from the latest science-backed information (no fluff, no one-size-fits-all advice)

·        Build the evidence to walk into your next appointment and say:
“Here’s what I’ve tracked. Here’s what I’ve noticed.  Let’s talk about it.”

If You Feel Off—It Could Be Menopause

You’re not imagining it.
You’re not overreacting.
And you’re definitely not alone.

Whether you’re 30 or 70, if something doesn’t feel right—start tracking now. Even if you’re not sure it’s menopause. Even if you just want clarity.

Your symptoms are your story.
We’re listening.

Don’t wait until things spiral.
The sooner you see the patterns, the sooner you can take control.

You already know something is happening
Bastet Rising is here to help you turn those clues into truth.
Manifest your inner Bastet. 
Be seen.  Be heard.  Rise

Sources for Further Reading

·       Mayo Clinic – Perimenopause: Symptoms and Causes

·       American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) – Management of Menopausal Symptoms

·       Merck Manuals – Menopause: Gynecology and Obstetrics