Women’s bodies undergo several major changes during their lifetime. If the start of the menstrual cycle marks one of the massive changes in women’s bodies, its end, also known as “menopause”, is no exception. The years before menopause, also called perimenopause, are the years when most women experience changes in their bodies that affect their lifestyle. Perimenopause, which marks the beginning of menopause, marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years. During this time, a woman’s ovaries stop producing eggs and female sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone decrease.
Although this change is a completely normal part of aging, the loss of these female sex hormones has a systemic impact on women’s health, particularly cardiovascular health. Estrogen has a protective effect on the heart and its loss can impact some specific risk factors for heart health, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure and weight gain.

From heart disease to obesity to bone health, women’s bodies are starting to show the imprints of menopause and it’s important to take note. Heart disease is a leading cause of death among women, and the risk continues to increase with age. It is therefore important to be aware of the warning signs that could indicate current or future risk of heart attack and stroke. Mitigating your risks in both cases also requires trusting your instincts. Additionally, it’s important to know your family medical history, as research suggests that women are at high risk for heart disease if someone in their immediate family, such as their mother or sister, had heart disease before age 65.
Here are five common symptoms to watch out for once you enter your 40s and/or perimenopause.
Chronic fatigue: Chronic fatigue in women over 40 is more common than any other symptom. While perimenopause and menopause and the hormonal changes during this period directly contribute to the constant state of exhaustion, other symptoms can also trigger it. Anemia, a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells or in which red blood cells do not function properly, is a common cause of fatigue, especially in women of childbearing age. Additionally, fibromyalgia, a condition that causes widespread pain, insomnia and fatigue, affects more than 3.7 million Americans, and the vast majority are women between the ages of 40 and 75. A deficiency in this essential vitamin can cause chronic fatigue syndrome.

Hot flashes: Most women begin perimenopause in their 40s, and some experience hot flashes and night sweats during this period. Hot flashes usually begin before a woman’s last period and occur for 2 years or less for 80% of women. Most women continue to experience hot flashes for 4 to 10 years after menopause, but they become less frequent and less severe. Hot flashes look like a sudden increase in body temperature, accompanied by sweating and reddening of the skin. They can also cause heart palpitations, dizziness and night sweats. Hot flashes are caused by a change in hormone levels, particularly a decrease in estrogen. The hypothalamus, which regulates body temperature, becomes more sensitive to temperature changes and triggers a hot flash to cool the body. Not all postmenopausal women experience hot flashes, and the risk factors are unclear. However, some factors that can increase risk include smoking, obesity and race.
Depression: Depression is a common condition that can affect women over the age of 40, especially during perimenopause and menopause. Symptoms of depression in women over 40 can include sadness, hopelessness, shame, and hopelessness. Additionally, anger and irritability, loss of interest in activities, sleeping too much or too little, weight fluctuations, anxiety, suicidal ideation, self-loathing, difficulty concentrating and decreased sexual interest are also indicators of depression.
Shortness of breath: Chronic shortness of breath in women over 40 can have many causes. Lung conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension or pneumoniaand/or heart conditions such as congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, diastolic dysfunction, systolic ventricular dysfunction, or abnormal heart rhythms may contribute to the development of the disease in women over 40 years of age. Other conditions such as obesity, poor health, deconditioning, interstitial lung disease, pleural effusion, cancer or neuromuscular conditions and cardiac amyloidosis (a condition in which amyloid proteins become accumulate in the heart, causing stiffness and pressure) are also factors that induce chronic shortness of breath.

Migraine: Migraines are more common in women over 40 due to hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause and menopause. Hormonal changes are one of the main reasons for this. Estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate during perimenopause, which can trigger migraines. Menstrual migraines may be more severe, longer lasting, and more likely to relapse during this time. Other symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, night sweats, lack of sleep, stress and anxiety, can also trigger migraines. Migraines typically begin in adolescence, peak in your 40s, and become less problematic afterward. Other factors that can contribute to migraines include mental or physical tension, sensory distractions like bright lights, dehydration, and medications that affect blood flow.