You're not weird. You're just unprepared. And you're definitely not alone. Perimenopause can bring about some unexpected and downright strange feelings, both physically and emotionally. And they can take you by complete surprise. I've listed below some of these 'weird' symptoms we can all experience:
Body Zaps or Electrical Sensations: Described as a tingling, buzzing, or “electric shock” sensation, often in the arms or legs. These sensations can feel random and unsettling, sometimes linked to changes in circulation or nerve sensitivity.
Phantom Aches and Pains: Ever experienced strange, sudden pains or discomforts that seem to appear out of nowhere and then disappear just as quickly? These can feel like random shooting pains or dull aches in various parts of the body.
Crawling or Itching Skin: Another unexpected symptom is a feeling of itchiness or even the sensation that something is crawling on the skin, particularly around the face, scalp, or arms. Hormonal fluctuations affecting the skin can make it more sensitive and reactive.
Aches in New Places: Joint pain, especially in areas like the knees, wrists, and lower back, can become more pronounced. It’s common for these aches to feel new or unfamiliar, even if you haven’t experienced much joint pain before.
Unusual Anxiety or Feelings of Doom: Perimenopause can cause a sense of impending dread or unexplained anxiety that comes in waves. This isn’t tied to any specific worry or fear, and it can feel as though it’s coming out of nowhere.
Heightened Sensitivity: Many people report becoming more sensitive to things like noise, light, and even touch. Everyday stimuli that never bothered you before may suddenly feel jarring or overwhelming, leading to a feeling of sensory overload.
Heart Palpitations: Hormonal shifts can sometimes lead to unexpected heart palpitations, which feel like the heart skipping a beat or fluttering. While often harmless, they can be alarming, especially if you haven’t experienced them before.
“Detached” or Out-of-Body Feeling: Some describe a sense of emotional numbness or feeling somewhat disconnected from themselves. This feeling can make it challenging to engage in daily life or connect with others.
Brain “Zaps” or Lightheadedness: People sometimes describe feeling brief “zaps” in their heads or spells of lightheadedness, similar to a sensation of buzzing or a split-second lapse in focus, which can be disorientating.
Hyper-Awareness of Physical Sensations: This includes becoming much more aware of things like your heartbeat, digestion, or breathing, which can heighten feelings of anxiety or discomfort. Sometimes, normal bodily sensations can suddenly feel amplified.
Sudden Bursts of Emotion or Tears: Emotions can feel unpredictable, with sudden, overwhelming feelings that lead to crying or laughter seemingly out of the blue. This can feel unsettling, especially if you don’t fully understand why it’s happening.
Forgetting words - mid-sentence: Good grief, I've been doing this a lot lately. I'm either using words that aren't in my usual vocabulary (who the hell am I channelling?) or I forget basic describing words. Hence, the word 'thing' is used a lot. Moments of forgetfulness, losing track of thoughts mid-sentence, or feeling like their brain is in a fog. This can feel like a complete shift from how you’re used to functioning mentally.
These strange sensations and brain-farts (!) can be unsettling and a little disconcerting, but once you recognise them as part of perimenopause , it can ease some of the worry.
Understanding that these feelings are common during this time can provide some reassurance. We're all in the same boat. It will pass.
Enjoy your journey x
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