Is It Postpartum or Perimenopause? Untangling Overlapping Symptoms
This guide is for Mothers wondering whether they might be experiencing perimenopause symptoms following on from post-partum hormonal changes.
Contributed By: Emma Thomas · Founder, MD, The Triple Shift
The Core Challenge
The hormonal changes mothers experience post-partum, and the related physical and psychological symptoms, may in turn overlap with early perimenopause symptoms which can start much earlier than many people realise. Many women spend months, if not years, and multiple medical appointments, to get to the point where (if they are lucky) they get a perimenopause diagnosis, and treatment.
Key Insight
Mood changes, fatigue, irritability, identity issues, irregular bleeding, confidence, sleep fragmentation…and just ‘Not Feeling Like Myself’ – all of these perimenopause symptoms can overlap with postpartum changes and it can be extremely challenging to differentiate. Just knowing that perimenopause symptoms can start as early as our late 30s and knowing what to looks out for can be empowering (A 2025 study showed that over a quarter of 30–35 year-olds and 40% of 36–40 year-olds had been told they were perimenopausal,
Practical Strategies
Use a symptom tracking app or a checklist (like the one at https://www.managingthemenopause.com/free-resources-ind) to collect data on symptoms over 2-3 months noting fluctuations over your cycle (if you have one). Having real data to back up your conversations with medical professionals will be more impactful than relying on memory and vague-sounding assertions.
Not all OB-GYNs will have training in menopause, you can find one that does at https://portal.menopause.org/NAMS/NAMS/Directory/Menopause-Practitioner.aspx (if UK based, https://thebms.org.uk/find-a-menopause-specialist/, although your GP may have added menopause training, it is worth asking).
More and more organizations are adding employee benefits that help with menopause (eg Maven, Peppy) so it may be worth checking if your employer offers those.
A Small First Step
Pour yourself a cup of something, sit down and have a listen to this podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0iJBLl2A4KDH2DOHZDeFxK
Emma Thomas coaches women who are navigating midlife, matrescence, perimenopause, and other career-defining moments. She helps them rebuild their energy, cut through the brain fog, and lead with the confidence they’ve spent years earning.
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