Understanding Your Changing Body During Perimenopause
Something feels off.
You’re gaining weight—even though you’re eating the same.
Your emotions are all over the place.
You wake up sweating at 3 a.m., your brain feels foggy by 3 p.m., and your motivation? Gone.
If this sounds familiar, you might be in perimenopause—even if no one ever told you what that really means.
This phase can feel overwhelming, confusing, and honestly a little scary. But knowledge is power—and understanding what’s going on in your body is the first step toward taking back control.
What Is Perimenopause (and How Is It Different from Menopause)?
Let’s clear this up first:
Perimenopause is the transitional stage leading up to menopause.
It can start in your late 30s or early 40s (yes—that early) and typically lasts 4–10 years.
You are still having periods, but they’re becoming less predictable. Your hormones are fluctuating wildly. Some days you feel great. Other days, not so much. That unpredictability is perimenopause.
Menopause, on the other hand, is when you’ve gone 12 full months without a period. At that point, your ovaries have significantly reduced hormone production and you’ve officially entered a new phase. (More on that in the next blog.)
What’s Actually Happening in Your Body?
Think of your hormones as your body’s internal communication system—tiny messengers telling your organs what to do. When those messengers stop speaking clearly, things start to feel… messy.
Here’s a simplified breakdown of the key hormones at play:
Estrogen: The Balancer
Estrogen impacts your brain, bones, skin, heart, metabolism, and reproductive system. It’s involved in over 400 bodily functions.
During perimenopause, estrogen doesn’t just drop—it swings. That up-and-down rollercoaster is responsible for many of the “I feel crazy” moments.
High estrogen days? You might feel anxious, bloated, or irritable.
Low estrogen days? You may feel low-energy, mentally foggy, or have trouble sleeping.
Progesterone: The Calmer
Progesterone is your body’s natural anti-anxiety hormone. It promotes restful sleep, balances mood, and regulates your cycle.
During perimenopause, progesterone often declines earlier and more steadily than estrogen—meaning estrogen becomes the dominant hormone, even if it’s also declining.
Less progesterone = trouble sleeping, increased anxiety, and heavier or irregular periods.
Testosterone: The Forgotten Female Hormone
Women produce testosterone too! It contributes to energy, libido, muscle tone, and confidence.
As testosterone gradually declines, you might feel physically weaker, less driven, and less interested in intimacy.
The Symptoms: What You Might Be Feeling (and Why)
Let’s match the hormonal shifts to real symptoms so you can better understand what’s happening:
Weight Gain (especially belly fat)
As estrogen drops, your body becomes less efficient at using insulin, your metabolism slows, and your body starts storing more fat—especially around your midsection.
You might be eating “healthy” and working out, yet still feel like your clothes don’t fit right. It’s not you. It’s your hormones.
Hot Flashes & Night Sweats
When estrogen levels fluctuate, your hypothalamus (your body’s internal thermostat) gets confused. It thinks you're overheating when you’re not—and triggers a hot flash or night sweat.
Insomnia & Sleep Disturbances
Lower progesterone and estrogen mess with your ability to stay asleep. You may find yourself tossing, turning, or waking up drenched in sweat—then dragging all day.
Fatigue
This isn’t just “tired.” This is can’t-keep-my-eyes-open fatigue.
It comes from poor sleep, blood sugar swings, and hormonal disruption. And no amount of coffee seems to help.
Mood Swings, Anxiety, and Emotional Overload
One minute you’re fine, the next you’re crying at a car commercial.
Lower estrogen affects serotonin production (your feel-good chemical), while declining progesterone reduces your brain’s calm and coping abilities. It’s like emotional whiplash—and it’s very real.
Brain Fog & Memory Issues
Forgetfulness, losing your train of thought mid-sentence, and trouble focusing? Estrogen fluctuations interfere with neurotransmitters that affect memory and mental sharpness.
Lower Libido and Vaginal Dryness
As estrogen and testosterone decline, you may notice less desire for intimacy and more discomfort. This can affect confidence, relationships, and your sense of self.
Joint Pain and Aches
Estrogen supports tissue flexibility and reduces inflammation. As levels drop, your joints may feel stiffer, more painful, or inflamed—especially in the morning.
Why You’ve Never Been Told Any of This
Most of us weren’t taught what perimenopause was.
Most doctors don’t get in-depth menopause training.
And most healthcare systems treat women’s midlife health as an afterthought.
But the tides are turning. Women are finally talking, researching, and demanding better care and answers.
You don’t need to wait for a diagnosis to validate what you’re feeling. The symptoms are real. The changes are real. And you deserve to understand what’s happening and what to do about it.
What You Can Do Next
Understanding what’s happening in your body is the first step. But knowledge without action leaves you in the same place.
Here’s what I want you to know:
You don’t need to overhaul your entire life.
You can feel better with small, consistent changes.
There are tools to support your hormones, improve your sleep, balance your blood sugar, reduce stress, and rebuild your energy.
And I want to share them with you.
Want Real Strategies That Make a Real Difference?
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You don’t have to figure this out alone. Let’s do this together.