If you’ve found yourself thinking…
“Why do I suddenly feel so different?”
“Why is my sleep worse, my mood lower, my energy gone?”
“Is this just stress… or something else?”
You’re not alone.
And more importantly, you’re not imagining it.
What you may be experiencing is perimenopause, a natural transition that can begin in your late 30s or 40s, often long before your periods stop.
What Is Perimenopause, Really?
Perimenopause is the phase leading up to menopause.
It ends when you’ve gone 12 consecutive months without a period, at which point you are considered menopausal (for one day), and then postmenopausal.
But the key thing to understand is this:
Perimenopause isn’t a sudden drop in hormones.
It’s a gradual, often unpredictable shift.
And it’s this fluctuation, not just decline, that drives so many of the symptoms women experience.
Common Symptoms (That Often Feel Random)
During perimenopause, you might notice:
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Poor sleep or waking at 3am
- Anxiety or feeling overwhelmed
- Mood swings or irritability
- Weight gain (especially around the middle)
- Irregular, heavier or lighter periods
- PMS that feels worse than before
- Hot flushes or night sweats
- Headaches or migraines
- Joint aches
- New sensitivities or histamine reactions
It can feel like your body has suddenly become unpredictable.
But there are reasons for this.
Oestrogen: The Rollercoaster Hormone
Oestrogen is often thought of as the “main” female hormone, and for good reason.
It supports everything from your brain and mood to your skin, bones, and metabolism.
But in perimenopause, oestrogen doesn’t just decline smoothly.
It fluctuates, sometimes quite dramatically.
Levels can rise higher than before, then drop suddenly.
This hormonal “rollercoaster” can contribute to:
- Hot flushes and night sweats
- Mood swings
- Brain fog and poor concentration
- Low energy
- Joint aches
- Skin changes or dryness
These ups and downs can feel unsettling, because they are.
Progesterone: The One That Drops First
Progesterone is your calming, grounding hormone.
It supports sleep, reduces anxiety, and balances the effects of oestrogen.
But here’s something many women aren’t told: Progesterone often starts to decline earlier than oestrogen.
Why?
Because it’s only produced after ovulation, and ovulation becomes less consistent in perimenopause.
This means you may experience:
- Anxiety or increased stress sensitivity
- Poor sleep (especially waking in the night)
- Feeling overwhelmed or less resilient
- Heavier or more irregular periods
This is often why women notice changes in mood and sleep before anything else.
Testosterone: The Overlooked Hormone
Testosterone isn’t just a “male hormone”, women need it too.
In healthy levels, it supports:
- Energy and motivation
- Muscle mass and strength
- Libido
- Cognitive function
As levels gradually decline with age, you might notice:
- Reduced strength or muscle tone
- Lower energy
- Less motivation or “spark”
- Reduced libido
Cortisol: Your Stress Response Becomes More Sensitive
Cortisol plays a key role in your body’s stress response, but also in your sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm).
In perimenopause, your body often becomes more sensitive to stress.
And when cortisol becomes dysregulated, it can amplify symptoms like:
- Poor sleep or waking unrefreshed
- Feeling wired but tired
- Increased belly fat
- Energy crashes
- Heightened anxiety
This is why stress, in all its forms, becomes such a key piece of the puzzle.
It’s Not Just Hormones, It’s How Your Body Responds
This is the part that changes everything: It’s not just about what your hormones are doing.
It’s about how your body is coping with those changes.
Things like:
- Blood sugar balance
- Nervous system regulation
- Sleep and circadian rhythm
- Gut health
- Hormone detoxification
…all influence how you experience perimenopause.
Why Understanding This Is So Empowering
So many women feel like their body is “failing” them.
But when you understand what’s actually happening, something shifts.
You realise:
- Your symptoms make sense
- There’s a reason you feel the way you do
- And there are ways to support your body
Knowledge creates clarity. And clarity allows you to take the right action.
Where would you like to go next?
If this resonated with you, there are a few ways we can continue the conversation.
Listen to the podcast
This article is based on Episode 80 of the Empowered Perimenopause Podcast; Itchy, Flushed, and Reactive Out of Nowhere? Understanding Histamine In Perimenopause.
Listen to the episode here.
Free quiz: Start making sense of your symptoms
If you’re wondering whether what you’re experiencing could be related to perimenopause, my free Perimenopause Quiz is a great place to begin.
In just a few minutes, you’ll gain a better understanding of where you are in your perimenopause journey, along with personalised guidance to help you take your next steps with confidence.
Take the free Perimenopause Quiz here.
Join my Tuesday Newsletter
Every Tuesday morning I send a gentle email full of evidence-informed guidance, practical midlife insights, my latest podcast episode, and a little encouragement to carry with you into the week.
I’d love to have you there.
Join my weekly newsletter here.
Looking for ongoing support?
If you’re ready to better understand your changing body with expert guidance and a supportive community of women navigating this season alongside you, I’d love to welcome you inside Midlife Thrive.
You’ll find monthly live coaching calls, practical teaching, and a calm, evidence-based space to ask questions and learn with confidence.
Learn more about Midlife Thrive here.
Need personalised support?
If you’d like one-to-one guidance tailored specifically to you, you can find out more about working with me through my nutritional therapy consultations.
Explore one-to-one support here.
