So, I'd vaguely heard the word "perimenopause" a few years ago. It was during those endless lockdowns, tuning into a podcast here and there, when I first heard Dr. Louise Newson's name. Honestly, I was probably only half-listening. Menopause? That wasn't on my radar yet. I was still getting my period every month, no hot flashes or night sweats in sight. I had enough on my plate already and figured, "That’s not something I need to worry about right now."

But I was so wrong!