Sign 1: Irregular or Missed Periods
The most telling early clue is often a cycle that becomes unpredictable—shorter, longer, heavier, lighter, or simply absent for months.
Sarah, 37, noticed her usually clockwork periods started skipping. “I went three months without one and panicked,” she recalls. Testing confirmed POI. Early evaluation gave her clarity and options.
If your cycles have changed noticeably in the last 6–12 months, track them carefully. Patterns provide valuable information for your doctor.
Sign 2: Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
Sudden waves of heat, often followed by chills or drenching sweats—especially at night—are classic vasomotor symptoms.
Up to 75% of women entering menopause early report these, and they can be more intense than in later menopause. Laura, 41, remembers waking soaked multiple nights a week. Simple lifestyle adjustments plus medical guidance eventually brought relief.
Sign 3: Sleep Disturbances
Night sweats combined with hormonal shifts can fragment sleep, leaving you exhausted even after a full night in bed.
