For many women, perimenopause remains a mystery, with few clear answers available on what to expect during this transitional period. Now, wearable technology companies like Oura are stepping up to fill this knowledge gap by providing data-driven insights and practical support for women’s health.
Perimenopause, often dubbed a “second puberty,” typically spans several years leading up to menopause. Symptoms vary widely and may last up to 14 years, ranging from hot flashes and sleep disruptions to cognitive changes and fluctuating weight. Despite affecting nearly half the population, information and research on this stage of life have historically been scarce. Recognising this, the Oura smart-ring company recently launched its Perimenopause Report to help bridge the gap, aggregating data from 100,000 anonymised users to shed light on how perimenopause and menopause affect daily life.
A Vital Data Resource for Women’s Health
Oura’s latest report underscores a critical issue: only 28% of women feel informed about perimenopause before experiencing it. This gap contrasts sharply with the preparation younger women receive for menstruation and puberty. To help users better understand their symptoms, Oura has introduced 17 new health tags—including hot flashes, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and spotting—enabling women to track and manage their health trends.
One of the report’s key findings is that sleep quality significantly decreases during perimenopause, with hot flashes emerging as a leading cause of sleep disturbances. These hot flashes can last from 30 seconds to 10 minutes, with 69% reportedly causing women to wake up at night, creating a cycle of interrupted sleep and impacting daily functioning. “It’s no wonder sleep deprivation becomes a reality for so many women in their 40s and 50s,” says Oura, adding that sleep quality is often a vital marker of overall well-being.
Additional Health Insights
Oura’s data also reveal a concerning decline of 20-30% in heart rate variability (HRV) among perimenopausal women. HRV is a measure of the body’s resilience to stress, with a high HRV indicating a strong response to changing situations and a lower HRV linked to cardiovascular risks. Given that cardiovascular disease risk increases post-menopause, tracking HRV can provide critical insights into long-term heart health.
Other common symptoms reported by users include migraines, bloating, and hormonal acne, highlighting the wide-ranging impact of hormonal shifts during perimenopause.
Practical Support for Women’s Health
Even with better understanding, perimenopausal symptoms can be difficult to manage. While menopausal hormone therapy remains a common treatment option, Oura encourages users to track lifestyle factors that could alleviate symptoms, such as reducing alcohol and caffeine intake and increasing regular cardio exercise to boost HRV and sleep quality.
Oura’s Perimenopause Report comes on the heels of broader public health initiatives, like the White House Initiative on Women’s Health and the Apple Women’s Health Study, which are working to close the research gap in women’s health. The report is another promising step toward a future where women have the resources they need to understand, manage, and navigate perimenopause with confidence.
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