Am I in Perimenopause?

Am I in Perimenopause? Yes—and I Still Have It All

I’m a successful woman in my prime. Ivy League degree? Check. Thriving career? Double check. Amazing husband and a life I worked hard for? Triple check.

But there’s one thing I never planned for: Perimenopause. And guess what? It’s part of having it all, too.

The Day Everything Felt "Off"

It started subtly—like something was just…off. My mornings, once fueled by confidence and drive, became clouded with brain fog so thick I could barely remember what was on my to-do list. I found myself snapping at my husband for leaving his socks on the floor. My body felt foreign—tight, achy joints, sudden insomnia, and skin that broke out like I was 15 again.

I told myself I was just stressed. It had to be work, right? Or maybe I needed a new fitness routine? But as the months dragged on, my frustration grew.

The Doctor Dilemma

When I finally booked an appointment, my doctor suggested stress and lifestyle changes. Another prescribed antidepressants. Neither felt right. No one mentioned perimenopause. And why would they? I was in my early 40s. Still had my period. Still "too young" for menopause talk.

But something wasn’t adding up. So I did what every smart, empowered woman does—I turned to research. And that’s when I had my lightbulb moment.

Perimenopause Is NOT Menopause—It’s Its Own Thing

Here’s what I learned: Perimenopause can start as early as 35. You’ll still get your period (sometimes regularly, sometimes not). And yes, you can still get pregnant. But your body is already riding the hormonal rollercoaster that comes with estrogen fluctuation. It’s a confusing in-between stage that no one warns us about.

Yet, here I was—an Ivy League-educated, savvy, successful woman—and I didn’t see it coming. How many other women are stumbling through life not knowing what’s happening to their bodies?

My Mission: Normalizing Perimenopause

Once I figured out that perimenopause was the culprit, things started to change. I stopped blaming myself. I stopped thinking I was losing my edge. And I started listening to my body.

But I want more than self-awareness—I want us all to feel empowered. Knowing you’re in perimenopause isn’t a burden. It’s freedom. It’s information that lets you take charge of your health, your life, and your decisions.

Are You in Perimenopause? Here’s How to Find Out

If my story sounds a little too familiar, it’s time to ask: Am I in perimenopause? And instead of staying in the dark like I did, I want you to have a clear path forward.

Take stock of your symptoms. Are you feeling moody, foggy, tired, achy, or experiencing irregular cycles?
Advocate for yourself. You deserve doctors who listen to your full experience.
Take NNABI’s Quiz. The quiz at NNABI.co is a quick, simple way to start identifying whether you could be in perimenopause. The more we know, the more we can do for ourselves and our futures.

Perimenopause doesn’t define me. I still have my ambition, my success, my relationships—and now, I have knowledge. If I can live my best life while navigating this phase, so can you. Take control. Ask questions. And if you’re in perimenopause? Own it, babe.

Start by taking the NNABI quiz (see in the navigation above), and let’s continue to have it all—on our terms.