(Maybe you sawa moviethat memorably involved pancake batter poured into the shape of the female reproductive system.)

Whatever it was, you likely gotsomething.

But it turns out there is no similar sex-segregated film screening for folks in their mid-30s.

Your cycle can lengthenor shorten, who knows!

You might bleed lessor more!

But your periods keep limping or racing along, and you keep experiencing hormonal cycles.

Many women and their providers dont recognize it, says Dr. JoAnn Pinkerton.

The symptoms can be very vague, she says.

It might not be missed periods, for instance.

It could be weight gain and headaches or brain fog and painful sex.

And they may think theyre too young, since changes can start in the late 30s or early 40s.

Periods dont start out evenly, and they dont end up evenly, either.

Their rough starts are mirrored as egg production and menstruation wrap up, eventually ending with menopause.

and then feeling really sheepish when it didnt return for several months.

After those first few periods of possibly varying cycle lengths, puberty wraps up and they become more predictable.

Finally, women have regular cycles, Pinkerton says.

Many women have very predictable cycles until their mid to late 30s or 40s.

Your Doctor Can Help

Not every woman approaching middle age is in for a rough time.

Pinkerton recommends perimenopausal women look at the issues theyre having holistically.

She looks at stress, sleep, physical and mental health.

A doc might provide hormonal birth control or an IUD to regulate and calm the ovaries.

It might be useful to take a low dose of antidepressants, especially leading up to menstruation.

Even though your ovary isnt working as well, its working, she says.

Healthy eating is important, and so is keeping up physical exercise.

Above all, remember that help is out there.

If your gynecologist doesnt seem to be listening or dismisses your concerns, she says, seek another one.

Women shouldnt suffer in silence, says Pinkerton.

If its affecting your work or relationships, you should probably come in.