Still Menstruating at 58? Understanding Late Perimenopause Symptoms
- deirdreahaggerty
- Apr 15
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 16
Holy hot flashes, I am still menstruating at 58, bypassing specific milestones of societal expectations. You know, the beliefs that quietly decide when marriage and children must occur, while maintaining career stability.
And somewhere in your early 50s…the “M” word.
Menopause.
But what happens when your body doesn’t follow the timeline?
At 58, I am still cycling regularly. I’ve always followed the beat of my own drum…doing what I want instead of what society thinks I should do.
Still menstruating. Not by choice, mind you. Still very much living inside a body that refuses to check a box and move on.
The average age of menopause in the United States is around 51/52. You know, like 6/7.
Side note – best way to kill your kids’ trend is to repeat it – often.
Most women begin the transition somewhere between 45 and 55. That is what we are told. Those are the online statistics. That is what is considered “normal.”
But average does not mean universal. And we are not statistics.
When you fall outside of the average, it can feel like something is wrong.
It’s not.
It’s individual.
Perimenopause Is Not Just “About Your Period”
I await menopause, which by definition is the cessation of menstruation for 12 consecutive months.
Perimenopause is what is described below, caused by a fluctuation of estrogen and a decline in ovarian function.
One of the biggest misconceptions about perimenopause is that it is simply the phase where your periods become irregular before they eventually stop.
That is a gross oversimplification.
Perimenopause is a full-body assault, I mean full-system transition. I am just joking, although for some of us it can feel like that.
Please understand:
It is hormonal.
It is neurological.
It is emotional. I
It is physical.
And for many women, it begins long before they realize what is happening.
The Symptoms No One Explains Well Enough
Thanks to the influx of midlife podcasts, advice of friends, and medical professionals, a well-deserved spotlight now shines on the symptoms, which are more than just hot flashes.
Yes—those are real. In fact, a large percentage of women will experience them at some point during the perimenopause transition.
But that is only one piece of a much larger picture.
Perimenopause can also show up as:
Sleep disruption
Chronic fatigue
Joint and muscle pain – Frozen Shoulder
Headaches
Heart palpitations
Vaginal dryness
Low libido
Irregular bleeding
Skin changes
And then there is the part that catches many women off guard, and family members, thinking something else is brewing.
When It Feels Like Something Is “Off” Mentally
Perimenopause does not just affect the body. It affects the mind.
Many women experience:
Anxiety
Mood swings
Irritability
Low mood
Brain fog
Forgetfulness
Difficulty concentrating
For some, it can feel like they are losing their edge—or even losing themselves.
And here is where it becomes complicated.
Some of these symptoms overlap with what people associate with anxiety, depression, or even attention-related challenges.
That does not mean it is only perimenopause.
But it also does not mean hormones should be ignored in the conversation.
Too often, they are.
And too often… that piece is ignored. And why a doctor must diagnose what is happening, especially one recognized by the Menopause Society or other similar associations.
My Experience of Menstruating at 58: What I Choose to Do
I am not here to tell you what you should do.
I am here to tell you what I do.
I use hormone replacement therapy (HRT), a progesterone pill, and an estrogen patch under medical care.
I move my body by walking every day for at least 2 miles and adding some form of daily resistance training.
The body changes and the increase in blood flow help with brain function and hormone loss.
And yes, still menstruating at 58. REGULARLY!
I still suffer from PMS and cramps. What I choose to do helps alleviate the symptoms that, quite frankly, I am tired as hell of having. Imagine 45 years of this.
I meditate because it helps me stay connected to myself as my body changes.
This is not about controlling my body. It is about learning how to work with it.
When Your Body Feels Unfamiliar
One of the most disorienting parts of this stage is how unfamiliar everything can feel.
Your sleep changes.
Your energy shifts.
Your emotions intensify.
Your focus drifts.
And if your experience does not match what you expected—or what you were told—it can make you question yourself.
Let me say this clearly:
You are not crazy. You are not weak. And you are not alone.
Why Support Matters More Than Ever
This stage of life is not just physical.
It is identity.
It is confidence.
It is how you show up in your work, your relationships, and your daily life.
And that is where support matters.
Working with a professional coach during this phase is not about diagnosing or replacing medical care.
It is about helping you:
Make sense of what you are experiencing
Regain clarity when your thinking feels scattered
Rebuild confidence when you feel off-center
Reconnect with who you are becoming—not who you used to be
Because this is not just an ending.
It is a transition.
And transitions deserve support.
The Truth About “Average”
The average age of menopause may be 51 or 52.
But average is not every woman’s story.
And it is certainly not mine.
If your body is doing something different…If your experience does not fit neatly into the narrative…
That does not make it wrong.
It makes it yours.
Final Thought
This season of life deserves more conversation.
More nuance.
More understanding.
And a lot less dismissal.
Live your life as your authentic self.
Your version.
No one else’s.
☕ Sip on that.
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