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A POLL OF 1,500 WOMEN AGED 40 PLUS FOUND 19% DIDN'T ACCEPT THEY HAD COMPLETED THEIR FOURTH DECADE UNTIL THEY WERE AT LEAST TWO OR MORE MONTHS INTO IT. ROB KNIGHT 12:07, 28 May
2025Updated 12:07, 28 May 2025 A survey of 1,500 women aged 40 and over found that 19% didn't acknowledge their fourth decade until they were a couple of months deep into it. But
according to the survey, women say they truly know they have hit their 40s when they start sounding like their mum, are excited by the latest home appliances, or prefer baths to nights out.
Other lightbulb moments include swearing off coffee after 4pm and having to school the younger generation on the magnitude of the Spice Girls. Realising their go-to album is a
quarter-century old and that their teenage heartthrob is 'getting on a bit' also served as wake-up calls. The study was commissioned by Vitabiotics Wellwoman Perimenopause, which
offers nutritional support for women navigating the changes that come before menopause. It forms part of a campaign to raise awareness of perimenopause among women in their 40s and highlight
the support available to them. Over half of those clued up about perimenopause viewed it as something that happens to older women – a category 81% don't see themselves fitting into.
Meanwhile, 12% admitted they hadn't heard of this "rarely discussed" natural stage in a woman's life, prior to taking part in the study. Perimenopause guru Emma Bardwell,
who penned 'The Perimenopause Solution', remarked: "Life is constantly teaching us new things. As you get older, these revelations can turn out to be real wake-up
calls." She shared her own battle, saying: "When I entered the perimenopause at the age of 42, it was an incredibly challenging time. I couldn't find the support I needed, and
didn't know where to turn. "Women don't always want to hear this but, if you're in your forties, you're likely to be perimenopausal as hormone levels are changing
at that time." "Fortunately," she added, "we now have so much more information and are better educated than ever about this time of life. And, the good news is, it's
never too early to start putting yourself - and your health - first." Despite some being in denial about hitting the big 4-0, 15% consider their 40s to be the best years of their lives
so far, with the best parts caring less about what people think, appreciating the little things in life, and knowing themselves better. It turns out a whopping 75% of respondents have also
started to take their health more seriously since hitting their forties. And for many, perimenopause is likely to be part of their reason for prioritising this more. Despite this, 80% of
women admitted they wished they'd been clued up about the perimenopause before it hit them, with many finding it an emotionally draining, physically tiring and stressful. spokesperson
for Vitabiotics Wellwoman Perimenopause, a one-a-day tablet providing 25 nutrients including vitamin B6 to help reduce tiredness and fatigue, said: "When it comes to the perimenopause,
there is a clear lack of understanding, and what this means for women." They pointed out: "Although some may know what the perimenopause is, this stage of life comes with plenty of
myths, misconceptions, and misunderstanding. Advice is often lacking, and women are not sure where to turn." Article continues below "There are steps you can take for advice, with
talking to a health professional a great starting point." TOP 40 - MOMENTS WOMEN REALISED THEY WERE IN THEIR 40S: * Caught yourself talking about how fast the year is going * Began
enjoying the idea of “a quiet night in” * Started going to bed before 10.30 * Realised you sound like your mum * I felt relieved when social events were cancelled * Having to look up slang
used by younger family members, friends and colleagues * You now can’t read the ‘small print’ because it’s too small to read * Realised you’d rather have a nice bath than a night out *
Realised your favourite album was 25 years old or more * Noticed once fashionable items of clothing had become fashionable again * Heard a song from your youth in a supermarket and realised
it’s now considered a “classic” * Became more interested in healthy eating * Took a multivitamin as part of a new health routine * Realising a song you still know, all the dance moves to was
released last century * Realised you couldn’t drink without getting a three-day hangover * Noticing you make a noise when standing up/sitting down * Became annoyed at forgetting reusable
bags * You finally understood the importance of a good nap * Forgot your own age — more than once * Started using the phrase “back in my day” unironically * Looked forward to weekends mainly
for cleaning or gardening * Being unable to function without your morning coffee * Realised you were getting irrationally excited about home appliances * Realised you enjoyed complaining
about the price of things * Cared more about the weather forecast than weekend plans * Bought a pair of “sensible shoes” — and liked them * Spoke to your younger colleagues and friends about
bands they knew nothing about * Thinking your celeb teenage crush is now “getting on a bit” * Started choosing seats over standing at gigs * Complained about modern music and how it was too
loud * Realising people are looking to you for advice * Felt surprised by how young police officers’ look * Became irrationally worried about younger people not wearing coats in cold
weather * Became extremely loyal to a particular brand of tea * Realising you had a predominantly 2000s and 2010s Spotify playlist * Stopped being able to drink coffee after 4pm * Had to
explain just how big the Spice Girls were to someone younger * Made a conscious decision to stop dying grey hairs * Suddenly became more active on Facebook * Began treating your house plants
as your children