Anxious? Exhausted? Irritable?

It might be perimenopause Baffling, debilitating symptoms in our 40s could signal “the change before the change”, reports Vicki Bramley.

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When Canberra GP Dr Kelly Teagle became a new mum, her elation was soon clouded by irritability, anxiety and poor sleep. Using a Mirena IUD contraceptive device meant she no longer had periods so Kelly didn’t notice one of the more obvious signs of perimenopause: an irregular cycle. Still, she says, “as a doctor who specialises in women’s health, how did I not realise what was happening to me?” For British writer Liz Earle, sleep disturbance sent her scrambling to her GP. The mother of five can handle what life throws at her – with a good night’s sleep!