If you are in your late 30’s or 40’s, your moods have been all over the place, your cycle suddenly seems unpredictable, and you’re wondering what on earth is happening to your body—you’re not alone. You might be in perimenopause, even if your doctor says you’re too young. So, what IS perimenopause?
Personally, I was well into perimenopause before I even knew what exactly was happening! It took a lot of time, money, and research for me to feel like I had a grasp on what was going on in my body. And I know I’m not alone. Did you know that according to The Menopause Society, 3 in 5 women are entirely self-taught when it comes to all things menopause? If you’re reading this, you’re probably part of that 60% of women who are searching for answers!
Hi, I’m Kelly, a Functional Medicine Nurse, and I help women navigate perimenopause with root-cause strategies, targeted lifestyle changes, and increased confidence. Let’s break down what perimenopause really is, when it starts, how to know if you’re in it, and what you can do to start feeling better—starting now.
When Does Perimenopause Start?
Most people assume menopause begins in your late 40s or early 50s. But here’s the truth: perimenopause can begin as early as your late 30s. And the signs? They’re subtle—until they’re not.
Common early signs include:
- PMS that feels stronger or different than before
- Changes in your period (typically shorter cycles in early perimenopause, and lengthened cycles/skipped cycles in late perimenopause).
- Insomnia/night sweats
- Brain fog, trouble multitasking
- Increased anxiety or irritability
- Energy dips even after a full night’s sleep
These symptoms often stem from declining progesterone—a shift that actually starts before estrogen begins to drop.
So, What Is Perimenopause?
Perimenopause literally means “around menopause.” It’s the transitional period when your hormone levels begin to shift and your body prepares to stop having periods. Unlike menopause (which is defined as 12 months without a period and typically happens in your early 50’s), perimenopause can last anywhere from 4 to 10 years.
Rather than a slow decline in your hormones, it’s more like a roller coaster ride. Hormone levels don’t drop off overnight—they fluctuate, fade, and change gradually over time.
What’s Going on in Your Body?
You’re born with all the eggs you’ll ever have. As you age and your egg supply decreases, your ovaries stop responding as reliably to the signals from your brain. Ovulation becomes less consistent, and that’s when the real hormonal shifts begin.
Your ovaries, which have done the bulk of hormone production since puberty, begin the process of retirement as they pass the baton of the job to your adrenal glands. It is quite literally a complete change in the way your hormones are produced – and it is felt profoundly!
Here’s why this matters: your hormones don’t just affect your cycle. They impact nearly every system in your body—your brain, skin, heart, bones, metabolism, digestion, and more. When your hormone levels shift, so does everything else. It’s a ripple effect.
Why Perimenopause Feels So Confusing
- No one talks about it. We learn about puberty and menopause, but this long in-between phase? Nothing!
- It starts slow. Subtle changes build over time, often brushed off as stress or “just getting old”.
- Your labs might look “normal.” Hormone levels fluctuate daily, and many doctors aren’t trained to recognize the nuances of perimenopause. Estrogen levels don’t just slowly decline in perimenopause, they fluctuate up and down. Additionally, HOW you detoxify your estrogen can be more important that the level itself during this time frame.
If you feel “off,” trust that your body is trying to tell you something. You’re not making it up.
Why Understanding Perimenopause Matters
When you know what’s going on in your body, you stop blaming yourself—and start advocating for yourself. You can ask better questions at the doctor’s office, support your energy, improve your mood, and care for your changing body with more clarity and confidence.
3 Simple Ways to Support Yourself Right Now
If you think you might be in perimenopause, here are three simple places to start:
1. Track Your Cycle and Symptoms
Whether your period is regular or all over the place, tracking can help you spot patterns. Include notes on your mood, energy, sleep, headaches, irritability—anything that feels “off.”
By keeping track of the patterns, you will be able to make adjustments for different issues going on with different hormones.
For example:
Trouble sleeping? Support Progesterone (I love Chasteberry for this).
Sore breasts, mood swings and irritability? Optimize estrogen detoxification (daily bowel movements, 1 cup cooked cruciferous veggies daily).
Waking at 3 am, stressed and getting a belly pooch? Start thinking of how to regulate your cortisol production.
2. Rethink your nutrition NOW
What worked before often does not work in perimenopause. Many women experience a slow weight gain that they can no longer get rid of with a period of dieting or increased exercise. If you don’t address these issues now, you will be fighting a bigger battle as menopause gets closer.
Balanced meals—especially protein-rich breakfasts—are key. Blood sugar swings make hormone changes harder on your body and amplify symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, and inflammation. Make a targeted effort to eat more “real” food and less processed food. If there was ever a time to buckle down on healthy eating, now is that time. Increasing your fiber intake can help with satiety, blood sugar regulation, and digestion.
3. Prioritize Sleep
Sleep isn’t just about feeling rested. It affects your blood sugar, inflammation, mood, and hormone regulation. Aim for at least 7 hours of quality sleep (not just time in bed). Establishing a regular sleep hygiene routine during this phase of life is critical – sleep is a foundation of wellness. Check out this blog post for some great tips for creating a better sleep routine.
Final Thoughts: You’re Not Broken—You’re Changing
Perimenopause is messy, confusing, and frustrating—but it’s also normal. Your body isn’t failing—it’s asking for support. You deserve self care, compassion, and tools to help you thrive in this stage of life.
If you are wondering if you could be starting perimenopause, check out this post on the top symptoms of perimenopause, as well as some of these other helpful posts:
The best herbal remedies for Perimenopause and Menopause
The best exercise for Perimenopause
The Advantages of Wearing a Weighted Vest
Disclaimer
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. This information is for educational purposes only, please consult with your medical provider before implementing anything new into your daily regimen.