A GP has made an urgent appeal to women in their 30s and 40s who are experiencing particular symptoms. Dr Punam Krishan, an NHS doctor from Glasgow who regularly appears on BBC Morning Live, has spoken out about an issue she encounters 'every single day' at her surgery.
The Perimenopause Problem
The 42-year-old, widely known as Dr Punam, revealed she is currently 'right at the beginning' of her own perimenopause journey. She highlighted that too many women begin this stage of life inadequately informed or supported. Bupa defines perimenopause as a transitional period lasting from several months to multiple years, during which hormone levels fluctuate and the ovaries gradually produce fewer eggs, while menstruation continues. When a woman has gone without a period for 12 consecutive months, she has formally entered menopause.
According to the NHS, common symptoms frequently include hot flushes, sleep disturbances, palpitations, headaches and migraines, muscular aches and joint discomfort, weight increase, changes to skin, diminished libido, vaginal dryness, recurring urinary tract infections, and tooth and gum sensitivity.
Dr Punam's Message
Despite how challenging this period can be, Dr Punam emphasised that help is out there. She said: 'If you are a woman in your late 30s or 40s and you feel like you're losing your mind, you're absolutely not. You're not making it up, you're not going crazy, it might be that you're perimenopausal. So, let's talk about it, because every single day in my clinic, I hear women say this. In fact, today, I heard it three times, so I thought, let's talk about it.'
She added: 'Perimenopause just doesn't mean it's hot flushes or missed periods - it can sneak up years before menopause actually begins. And the worst bit is, hardly anybody warns you that it's happening. It just creeps in quietly and suddenly, you're questioning everything about yourself, when really your body is going through a massive internal shake-up.'
What Every Woman Should Know
Dr Punam shared key points she wishes every woman knew:
- Perimenopause can start in your late 30s or early 40s
- You might still have regular periods
- It can feel like anxiety, low mood, or even pure rage, totally out of the blue
- Sleep might fall apart; you're wide awake at 3am, your brain's all foggy, you're wired but exhausted, your joints are achy, your fatigue feels deep-boned
- Your body isn't broken
She went on to say: 'And the sad thing is that it often gets dismissed as stress, burnout, or even depression. So many women get disregarded, and that makes me both sad and just really mad because I know it doesn't have to be this way. Your body isn't broken, your hormones are shifting, and that affects everything: your energy, your memory, your relationships, your confidence.'
Seeking Help
Dr Punam urged: 'So if this sounds like you, you're not going crazy, you're not failing, you're not just tired and stressed. Perimenopause is real, it's powerful, it's a transition into a new phase, it's a whole new sense of identity and yes, it takes time to figure out, but that's okay. Because the most important thing is, there is help and support, whether that is lifestyle support, HRT, or just finally being heard. Please don't suffer in silence, 'cause you deserve to feel like yourself again. And if it helps at all, I am right at the beginning of my perimenopause journey too, so I totally get it - not just as a doctor, but as a woman who's feeling all the wobbles too. We're in this together, and if you are struggling, please make an appointment with your GP and get the support and help that you deserve.'
The NHS advises anyone who suspects they may be experiencing perimenopause or menopause symptoms to consult a nurse or GP. A pharmacist can also offer guidance on available treatments and practical steps. Symptoms can last for months or years, and can change with time. For example, hot flushes and night sweats may improve, and then you may develop low mood and anxiety. Some symptoms, such as joint pain and vaginal dryness, can carry on after your periods stop.
