New data shows that a significant share of women experiencing perimenopause and menopause initially mistake symptoms like heart palpitations, anxiety, and concentration issues for stress.
The Stress Misdiagnosis: Why Perimenopause Symptoms Go Unrecognized
When sudden anxiety, racing hearts, or severe brain fog strike, most people do not immediately look to their reproductive cycle for answers. A recent study conducted last summer among numerous women—including respondents based in the Netherlands—reveals that a third of women going through perimenopause or menopause initially attribute these physical and cognitive changes to everyday stress. Commissioned by Uma Health, a platform supporting women through the transition in the Benelux, and executed by research firm iVOX, the findings highlight how easily hormonal changes hide behind stress.
The survey data outlines specific symptoms that women frequently misattribute. According to the findings, women mistake concentration, heart palpitations, and anxiety for stress.
The Hormonal Shifts and Oxidative Stress Behind the Transition
Biologically, these overlapping physical experiences are rooted in a gradual, years-long hormonal decline. Menopause is formally defined as the permanent cessation of ovarian follicular activity and the menstrual cycle, typically occurring in women between 45 and 55 years of age as documented in medical literature. While natural, this transition can also be triggered by surgery, chemotherapy, or iatrogenic insult.
As ovarian function winds down, the body stops producing progesterone and estrogen. Medical reviews note that the earliest hormonal shift involves a rise in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), followed years later by an increase in luteinizing hormone (LH). This initial FSH spike happens because inhibin B—a dimeric glycoprotein that normally suppresses FSH—declines during both the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle, serving as an early indicator of reproductive aging.
Beyond reproductive hormones, researchers point to cellular-level changes. Studies examining reproductive aging indicate that oxidative stress, driven by free radicals and antioxidant deficiencies, is directly linked to falling estrogen levels. These chemical imbalances help explain why the physical manifestations of menopause are so diverse, ranging from classic hot flashes and night sweats to vaginal dryness, mood changes, and cardiovascular risks.
Personal Toll and the Search for Answers
Geestelijk en lichamelijk was ik helemaal op. Pas toen ik na jaren aandringen met passende hormoontherapie begon, klaarde de mist op. Het heeft me mijn leven en de liefde voor het leven teruggegeven.
Wanneer je stemmingswisselingen, concentratieproblemen of hartkloppingen niet herkent als signaal van de overgang, zoek je logischerwijs een andere verklaring zoals stress. Leg bij dit soort vage klachten altijd de link met je cyclus en je leeftijd. Dat maakt het gesprek met je huisarts veel concreter.
Available Approaches for Managing the Transition
Once the underlying hormonal shift is identified, a variety of management options exist to help mitigate symptoms and protect long-term health. Medical guidance traditionally looks at targeted interventions depending on the severity of physical disruption.
- Hormonal therapy designed to replace declining estrogen and progesterone levels
- Antioxidant supplementation to help reduce oxidative stress and free radical accumulation
- Lifestyle modifications, including targeted changes to diet and exercise routines
- Dietary intake of foods rich in natural antioxidants to support overall physical resilience
While lifestyle adjustments and antioxidant-rich foods offer supportive benefits for many individuals experiencing vasomotor symptoms, medical professionals note that addressing the root hormonal deficiency remains central to treating more disruptive physical sequelae.