According to new research these are the top tell-tale signs you have hit your 40s. 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. 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 moments of realisation include being unable to drink coffee after 4pm and having to explain just how big the Spice Girls were to those younger than them. Alongside this, realising their favourite album is 25 years old and realising your celeb teenage crush is now 'getting on a bit', were similarly revelatory. 

The research was commissioned by Vitabiotics Wellwoman Perimenopause which provides nutritional support for women before the menopause when the body begins to change. It forms part of a campaign to raise awareness of perimenopause among women in their 40s and highlight the support available to them.

More than half (51%) of those aware of perimenopause tended to think of it as something which happens to women when they get old – which 81% don’t consider themselves to be.

 Perimenopause expert Emma Bardwell, and author of The Perimenopause Solution, said: “Life is constantly teaching us new things. As you get older, these revelations can turn out to be real wake-up calls."

"When I entered the perimenopause at the age of 42, it was an incredibly challenging time," she said. "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, 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 being in denial about reaching their 40s, 15% consider their 40s to be the best years of their lives so far. With the top three best things about this decade including caring less about what people think, appreciating the little things in life, and knowing themselves better.

It also emerged 75% of those polled have taken their health more seriously than they had before since hitting 40. And for many, perimenopause is likely to be part of their reason for prioritising this more.

However, 80% wish they had known more about it before they experienced it as they described the experience as emotionally draining (21%), physically tiring (17%), and stressful (10%).

A 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.

"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.

"There are steps you can take for advice, with talking to a health professional a great starting point.”