“I Don’t Feel Like Myself”: What Perimenopause Might Be Trying to Tell You
If you’ve caught yourself saying, “I just don’t feel like myself,” you are not alone. A 2024 study called “Not feeling like myself in perimenopause—what does it mean?” looked at women ages 35 to 55 and found that almost two-thirds felt this way at least half of the time over three months.
What did “not feeling like myself” really mean for them? It was less about hot flashes and more about things like:
Deep fatigue and low energy
Feeling overwhelmed or less able to cope
Anxiety, irritability, and sudden mood shifts
Brain fog, forgetfulness, and trouble concentrating
These women were often working, caring for others, and juggling multiple roles—so when their mood, focus, or energy shifted, it felt unsettling, even scary. Many didn’t realize these changes could be connected to the hormone shifts of perimenopause.
The 2024 study suggests that “not feeling like myself” is not a character flaw or a personal failing. It is a cluster of very real, very common symptoms that deserve attention and support.
If this sounds familiar, you don’t have to “push through” in silence. You can learn what’s happening in your body, explore treatment options, and build a plan that supports your energy, mood, brain, and relationships.
Coslov N, Richardson MK, Woods NF. “Not feeling like myself” in perimenopause—what does it mean? Observations from the Women Living Better survey. Menopause. 2024;31(5):390-398. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000002339
