Find Out Before You Lose Your Mind
Welcome to perimenopause, sweetheart. That delightful phase where your body throws a surprise party without consulting you first.
The invitations went out to hot flashes, mood swings, and irregular periods, but not you. You feel like a gatecrasher in your own body.
Here’s what nobody tells you: perimenopause isn’t one thing. It’s not a switch that flips from “normal” to “what fresh hell is this now?” Instead, it’s a journey with stages, patterns, and surprisingly, a roadmap.
But first, you need to figure out where you actually are on that map. Because right now? You’re driving in circles. Meanwhile, your GPS (aka Google), gives you twelve different answers. None of them particularly helpful.
The Frozen Peas Epiphany
A few years ago, I found myself stood in that frozen food aisle. I was having what I call my “peas epiphany.” A bag of frozen vegetables pressed up against my neck.
Wondering if this was my life now. That’s when I knew something had to change. I needed answers, not just frozen vegetables.
So I went hunting (well, googling). And came across the STRAW+10 system. And honey, it changed everything.
STRAW+10 isn’t some boring medical system. Although technically it is, but stay with me. It’s your translator for what your body’s actually saying.
Think of it as finally getting subtitles for a foreign film. You’ve been watching confused for months. Suddenly, everything makes sense.
This brilliant system breaks your reproductive life into 3 main phases and 7 distinct stages. The three phases are Reproductive (remember when periods just showed up on schedule?), Menopausal Transition (perimenopause – where most of us are losing our minds), and Postmenopause (the promised land where things apparently settle down).
But here’s the game-changer: perimenopause itself has multiple stages. Each has its own personality.
Some are subtle and sneaky. Others are loud and dramatic. Like that friend who always makes an entrance.
The Phases and Stages Menopause – STRAW+10
What You Actually Need to Know
When you’re Googling at 3 a.m. (because of course you’re awake), you’re asking the wrong question, gorgeous. The better question is “what stage of perimenopause am I in?”
Because early perimenopause feels completely different from late perimenopause. It’s like comparing a gentle wave to a full tsunami.
Both are water. Both are part of the ocean. But the experience? Vastly different.
Early perimenopause might show up as slightly shorter cycles. Maybe your PMS got a personality transplant and became more demanding.
Perhaps you’re noticing the occasional hot flash. You’re thinking “that can’t be menopause, I’m only 42!” Spoiler: it absolutely can be, darling.
Late perimenopause? That’s when your period starts ghosting you for months at a time. Night sweats become your regular 3 a.m. companion.
Your internal thermostat has clearly gone freelance. It refuses to take direction from anyone. This is when women start seriously wondering if they’re losing their minds.
Or if this is “normal.” (It’s normal, by the way. Annoying, but normal).
The Quiz That Finally Answers “What Stage of Perimenopause Am I In?”
I created this quiz because I was tired of vague answers. Tired of “you might be perimenopausal” delivered with a shrug.
Tired of woman asking “am I in perimenopause?” and getting nothing but confused looks in return. So I built something based on the STRAW+10 system.
It gives you actual clarity in five minutes.
Five questions, darling. You’ll be asked about your menstrual cycle. Or what’s left of it. We’ll explore your symptoms, the hot flashes, the sleep disruptions.
Those mood swings that have you crying one minute and wanting to throw things the next. We’ll look at patterns you might not have noticed you’re experiencing.
Because sometimes you’re so deep in the forest, you can’t see the trees. Or in this case, you’re so deep in perimenopause, you can’t see the stage.
The quiz takes less time than your last scroll on Instagram. However, it gives you something precious: answers. Real, specific, “oh THAT’S why I’ve been feeling this way” answers.
Not vague maybes. Not “probably somewhere in the middle.” Actual clarity about where you are in your perimenopause journey.
What Happens When You Finally Know Your Stage
Here’s what changes when you understand what stage of perimenopause you’re in: everything. You finally have the answer to “am I in perimenopause?” and so much more.
Suddenly those random symptoms aren’t random anymore. They’re predictable. They make sense.
You’re not going crazy. You’re going through early transition with specific hormonal patterns. Or you’re in late transition where periods become optional rather than mandatory.
Armed with your stage, you can walk into your doctor’s office like you own the place. Instead of listing symptoms and hoping they connect dots, you can say something powerful.
“I think I’m in late perimenopause based on these patterns.” Your doctor will actually listen differently. Because you’re not just complaining about feeling off.
You’re presenting information. You’re speaking their language while maintaining your sanity.
You can also plan ahead. If you’re in early perimenopause, you know what’s likely coming. You can prepare. Stock up on cooling products.
Invest in that portable fan everyone raves about. Start tracking patterns so you’re not blindsided when things shift.
Knowledge isn’t just power, darling. It’s peace of mind in pajamas at 3 a.m.
A Quick Word Before You Go, Sweetie
This quiz is designed to give you valuable insights into where you might be on your perimenopause journey, and honestly, it’s pretty good at what it does.
But here’s the thing, sweetheart: as fabulous as this quiz is, it’s not a substitute for actual medical advice from a healthcare professional who knows your history, your body, and ideally, how to return your calls.
Think of this as your starting point, not your finish line. Your results can help you have better, more informed conversations with your doctor (because walking in saying “I think I’m in late perimenopause” is infinitely more useful than “I feel weird”).
But only a qualified healthcare provider can give you a proper diagnosis and personalized treatment plan.
So use this quiz. Learn from it. Let it validate what you’re experiencing. Then take those insights straight to someone with actual medical credentials and a prescription pad.
Because you deserve real answers, real support, and real solutions, not just really good internet quizzes. (Though this one is pretty damn good, if i do say so myself.)
And darling, you absolutely deserve better than frozen peas.
Bisous, 💋
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