Stress

If you've noticed some leakage when you sneeze, laugh or exercise or a sudden, hard-to-ignore urge to urinate since your periods stopped, you're far from alone. This is one of the most common and least talked about, symptoms that women can experience with menopause. It certainly doesn’t mean it is ‘normal’ – however, yes it is very common.

Many women in their forties notice a shift in their mental health before they ever suspect perimenopause. Here's why the hormonal connection so often goes unrecognised — and what to do about it.