29 Perimenopause Symptoms You May Not Know About (Cleveland Clinic)

Tier 1: Established: peer-reviewed research or government health authority
Publisher: Cleveland Clinic · Published: August 7, 2026 · Accessed: August 27, 2026

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Claims this source supports

• Body zaps, electric-shock or buzzing sensations, are a type of neuropathic pain thought to be related to changes in estrogen levels; the buzzing sensation is usually fleeting.
• Estrogen receptors are found throughout the body, so menopause can affect nearly every organ system.
• The National Menopause Foundation has identified 36 known symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, many of them lesser-known.
• Because the gut is sensitive to estrogen, changing estrogen levels during perimenopause can cause GI issues; hormonal imbalances can affect gut motility, causing food to move through the intestines faster or slower, which can cause constipation or diarrhea.
• Estrogen receptors in the GI tract can become more sensitive during perimenopause, making women more aware of GI issues than they were previously; one study found 38% of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women reported changes in bowel habits.
• Bloating is common as periods decline in perimenopause; menopausal weight gain can also make heartburn or acid reflux more likely.
• Indigestion and new allergies are among the lesser-known symptoms of changing hormone levels.