Cougar Puberty: The Internet’s Latest Buzzword for a Tough Life Phase

A fresh buzzword is circulating on TikTok, and it’s doing exactly what the platform excels at: giving an alluring name to a decidedly unglamorous life stage.

The period leading up to menopause, known as perimenopause, has been dubbed “cougar puberty” on the social media platform. Depending on whom you consult, the term can either feel empowering or completely ridiculous.

“Guess what the hip crowd is calling it now?” asked @radiant.rewind in a popular video. “Cougar puberty,” she revealed. She continued, “I adore the notion of a ‘reset’ for us, rather than seeing it as ‘game over’.”

Many seem to resonate with this rebranding. “I’m 37 and deep into perimenopause, and I’ve often said it feels like a second puberty,” commented one user. Another described her experience as feeling almost out of control, with unfamiliar bodily changes.

From Menopause to Cougar Puberty: A New Narrative

Perimenopause typically begins in your 40s, though it can start as early as your mid-30s for some. The duration can vary widely, lasting anywhere from four years to a decade. While “cougar puberty” might suggest a thrilling new chapter of sexual reawakening, the actual symptoms include hot flashes, intense menstrual periods, vaginal dryness, sleep disturbances, mood fluctuations, decreased sex drive, and the frequent need to urinate.

The symptoms might mirror those of depression or anxiety. Some women report feeling as though their brains are misfiring, with noticeable lapses in short-term memory and concentration difficulties. This tumultuous period is characterized by a significant drop in estrogen production by the ovaries, impacting everything from emotional well-being to menstrual regularity.

It’s important to clarify that perimenopause is not menopause. The latter is marked by the absence of menstrual periods for one full year. Perimenopause is essentially the hormonal roller coaster that precedes it.

Alleviating these symptoms often involves practical and straightforward measures rather than just mental adjustments. Engaging in regular physical activity, cutting down on caffeine, eating a balanced diet, consuming calcium-rich foods, and maintaining steady sleep patterns can all help manage symptoms. Some may find relief with hormonal birth control or vaginal creams, while others might consider hormone therapy, especially if symptoms are severe.

Yet, the term “cougar puberty” has gained traction. Comedian Kristina Kuzmic even created T-shirts with the phrase. Whether it’s seen as empowering or merely another catchy but shallow TikTok term, it has sparked a dialogue—a conversation that many women feel is overdue for the public domain.