Women on TikTok are calling perimenopause ‘cougar puberty’. Here’s why

Health & FitnessLifestyle
22 Jul 2025 • 8:38 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • Women on social media are popularizing the term 'cougar puberty' to describe perimenopause, a transitional period before menopause.
  • Perimenopause, also known as the menopausal transition, marks the body's natural shift towards the end of reproductive years, typically in a woman's mid-forties.
  • Symptoms include irregular periods, hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and mood changes, which some women liken to a 'second puberty'.
  • TikTok users have shared videos endorsing 'cougar puberty' as a more accurate and relatable name for the experience.
  • The term is gaining traction as it resonates with women who feel the symptoms are akin to a reverse or second puberty, with some also applying it to menopause itself.

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