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Perimenopause isn’t just a story of hot flashes, night sweats, and skipped periods. It’s far more layered, full of strange little twists and turns that no one really warned us about. As I’m making my way through the fog and clarity of the past few years, I’ve encountered symptoms that felt odd, unsettling, and at times, quietly unnerving. They arrived unannounced – tiny mysteries of the body – and for a while, I didn’t connect the dots. But eventually, I did. And now, I want to share them with you. Because if you’re walking this path too, you deserve to know that you’re not imagining it and you’re definitely not alone. I’d love to hear what this season looks like for you, too.
1. Getting the Itch
For the longest time, I couldn’t understand why my inner ears were so itchy. I could never properly get to the itch. It’s not like I could scratch inside my ear canal with my nails. I would (and continue to this day) apply pressure and rub the itch away as much as I could.
And my legs? Itch City! Especially at night. There were weeks on end where I would lie in bed scratching my legs every evening before bed. I couldn’t fall asleep until the itchiness eased. There was no apparent reason why my legs were so itchy. I didn’t have dry patches, I had no rash or broken skin and no symptoms of pain or discomfort apart from the itchiness. Yet, the frustration of having to scratch my bare legs every night was driving me crazy!
My scalp also took a hit. Some days, I was scratching my scalp so much, I swear, I was convinced I had lice. To the point that I would secretly do a head check. It was embarrassing and not a problem I wanted to have, lice or no lice. The scratching would sometimes cause scabs, which were a bit painful and the itchiness was difficult to deal with day after day for weeks on end.
I started to wonder why I was so itchy in my 40’s when I had never been before. Again, research brings it all back to hormonal changes.
Itchy ears, legs and scalp during perimenopause might sound strange—but they are actually surprisingly common (and frustrating) symptoms, and it’s all thanks to hormones.
Here’s what’s likely going on:
a) Estrogen and Skin Health Are Deeply Linked
Estrogen helps keep your skin hydrated, elastic, and balanced, including the thin, delicate skin inside your ears. As estrogen levels fluctuate and decline during perimenopause, skin can become:
- Dry
- Thinner
- More sensitive or irritated
This includes not just your face, hands, and legs, but also unexpected places like your ears, scalp, and even the inside of your nose.
b) Wax Changes + Microbiome Shifts
Hormonal changes can affect the consistency of your earwax, making it drier and flakier. Combine that with a drier ear canal and changes in your body’s natural microbiome, and you’ve got a recipe for itchy, irritated ears.
As estrogen starts to decline in perimenopause, your skin loses some of its ability to retain moisture and produce natural oils. The result? Skin that’s drier, thinner, and more prone to itchiness, especially in areas like:
- The shins and calves, where skin is already delicate
- The scalp, which may feel tight, flaky, or irritated
What Can Help:
- Use a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer on skin and just around (not inside) the ears
- Avoid Q-tips—they often make it worse
- Stay hydrated and support your skin from the inside (omega-3s help!)
- Talk to a doctor if the itchiness is persistent or comes with discharge
2. What am I trying to Say?
Progressively, I’m finding myself in the middle of a conversation and I know what I want to say but can’t for the life of me find that one word. My brain just can’t retrieve it! It’s frustrating and I feel a little dim in those moments. Why is my brain doing this? I could blame pregnancy or early motherhood years ago, but those days are long gone. So, what’s going on now?
a) Estrogen Fuels Brain Function
Estrogen isn’t just about reproduction. It’s a major player in brain health. It helps regulate:
- Neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine
- Blood flow to the brain
- Synaptic connections that support memory and language
As estrogen levels start to dip and fluctuate, these systems don’t operate as smoothly, and one of the places women often feel it? Language and memory. Finding the right word suddenly becomes… a lot harder.
b) Brain Fog Is Real
Many women in perimenopause experience brain fog—a kind of mental cloudiness that affects:
- Focus
- Recall
- Mental clarity
- Verbal fluency
This fog can come and go with hormone swings, often linked to sleep disturbances or stress, which are also amped up during this phase. I’ve been taking Lion’s Mane to help with my brain fog and it is making a BIG difference. It’s a mushroom supplement that helps with brain function, easing my brain fog considerably. Find the link to Lion’s Mane here.
c) Poor Sleep = Sluggish Brain
Hormone-related sleep issues (thanks, night sweats and anxiety) mean less REM sleep, which is crucial for:
- Consolidating memory
- Processing language
- Cognitive sharpness
If you’re not sleeping deeply, your brain isn’t getting its nightly tune-up, and it shows up the next day when you can’t remember that one word… you know the one…
d) Stress and Cortisol Interference
Perimenopause can be a stressful season—career shifts, caregiving, identity changes. Chronic stress raises cortisol levels, which affects the hippocampus (the brain’s memory center). That can make even common words feel just out of reach.
The Good News:
- You’re not losing your mind
- You’re not alone
- You’re not broken
Word retrieval issues are a normal part of the perimenopausal brain, and for most women, things improve post-menopause as hormones settle into a new balance.
3. My Heart Skips a Beat
A very alarming symptom I experience from time to time is heart palpitations. I can feel them deep in my chest and quite frankly, it scares me a bit. My immediate thought goes to ‘Am I having a heart attack?’ It feels abnormal but I don’t have any other symptoms. What is going on?
It’s common and usually not dangerous. The not-so-fun news? Hormones are (once again) the culprits.
Here’s why:
a) Estrogen Fluctuations = Heart Rhythm Fluctuations
Estrogen has a calming, regulating effect on the cardiovascular system. It helps:
- Maintain blood vessel flexibility
- Support a steady heart rate
- Balance the autonomic nervous system
When estrogen levels drop or swing wildly (which is perimenopause in a nutshell), it can make your heart feel like it’s stumbling over its own beat.
b) Adrenal Response Gets Overactive
Hormonal changes can make you more sensitive to stress and adrenaline. Your fight-or-flight system can get a little jumpy, which may cause:
- A sudden surge of cortisol or adrenaline
- An increase in heart rate even when you’re at rest
- Feelings of anxiety paired with palpitations
Sometimes it hits when you’re doing nothing—other times, it’s during a hot flash or panic spiral.
c) Hot Flashes + Palpitations = Tag-Team
Palpitations often show up with or right before a hot flash. That rush of heat and adrenaline can make your heart thump harder. It’s all part of your body’s confused thermostat and nervous system.
d) Sensitivity to Stimulants Increases
Many women find they become more sensitive to:
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Dehydration
- Sugar or refined carbs
These can all trigger palpitations more easily during perimenopause than they used to.
d) Sleep Disruption Doesn’t Help
Lack of deep, restful sleep (thanks, night sweats and insomnia) puts extra strain on your heart and nervous system. That combination can make palpitations more noticeable or frequent—especially at night.
e) When to Check In
While perimenopausal palpitations are usually harmless, it’s smart to consult a doctor if:
- They’re frequent or long-lasting
- You feel dizzy or faint
- They come with chest pain or shortness of breath
Sometimes it’s just hormones. But it’s always okay to ask.
Wrapping It Up: You’re Not Imagining It
Perimenopause has a way of showing up not just in the obvious ways, but in the quiet, peculiar, and unexpected corners of our bodies—like a fluttering heart, an itchy scalp, or a word that refuses to come when called. These symptoms can feel disorienting, even a little scary, especially when they arrive without warning or explanation.
But here’s the truth: you’re not losing your mind. You’re shifting. Your body is navigating a profound hormonal recalibration, and while it may not always be graceful, it is deeply natural.
The more we name these experiences and share them, the less alone we feel in the fog. So, if your heart’s racing, your skin’s crawling, or you’re standing in the kitchen wondering why you’re there, know that you’re in good company.
We’re in this together, learning as we go. Let’s keep talking.
📌 Written by Sylvie
💬 Sharing my journey to learn, laugh, and grow on Peri Lane.
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