Perimenopause goes viral, and doctors field the fallout

Perimenopause has become a viral cultural topic, and doctors say it is reshaping patient demand and expectations. A global survey published in Menopause found that nearly 95% of women who identify as being in perimenopause report fatigue and exhaustion, not the more widely recognized symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. Clinicians across the U.S. report that patients arrive with new vocabulary after hearing about perimenopause on podcasts, TikTok, group chats and viral news clips. The shift, they say, is creating a mismatch between a hormone-focused validation wave and a health-care system not designed for the resulting volume and nuance. The article cites that a Flo survey found many women initially sought care for mental health, sleep problems or stress before connecting symptoms to the menopause transition. Perimenopause is the transitional phase before menopause, starting in the late 30s or early 40s and lasting for years, with symptoms including sleep disruption, mood changes, brain fog, anxiety, joint pain, irregular cycles and profound exhaustion.