What is going on with your hormones in your 40's
Or even late thirties!
When you get near or enter your forties, you may notice a shift in your hormones.
Maybe your cycle hasn’t changed much but your moods have or you are suddenly getting PMS symptoms? You are not alone!
Perimenopause is not widely understood and often confused with menopause which typically happens closer to 50 years old.
Perimenopause can be a hormonal roller coaster.
It is not menopause!
It is actually a very different time to Menopause. Typically menopause is a time of low estrogen. Perimenopause on the other hand is often a time when you are you are riding an estrogen roller coaster! You may have twice the levels you used to have one day and barely any the next!
Perimenopause is the 2-12 years prior to menopause when you start to feel symptoms – Menopause is the years after you have had no period for a year and symptoms settle down for most Women.
Get your free balanced meal formula.
Getting your meals properly balanced is the single most important thing you can do for your hormones. This is the exact formula I use with clients.
what are the symptoms of perimenopause?
New onset heavy/and or longer flow- Shorter menstrual cycles (less time between cycles)
- New sore, lumpy of swollen breasts
- New mid sleep waking
- Increased menstrual cramps
- Onset of night sweats, particularly in the premenstrual period
- New or increased migraine headaches
- New or increased premenstrual mood swings, anxiety, or depression
- Weight gain without changes in exercise of eating
You are likely to be in perimenopause if you have 3 of the above symptoms despite regular menstrual cycles.
why you are having these symptoms
We talked about how your estrogen is on a rollercoaster which helps explain the symptoms, but also at the same time your progesterone is steadily declining. Progesterone counteracts estrogen, preventing estrogen excess symptoms so you are now experiencing the symptoms of hormone imbalance which may start suddenly.
Progesterone is a calming hormone, so when it declines, you have less stress tolerance. Most of the symptoms of Perimenopause are neurological so you are not alone and what you are going through is not abnormal. Unfortunately it is often happening at a time when you probably have more stress then other times in your life.
Perimenopause is a time when you may be more vulnerable to anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
The good news is that this stage won’t last forever, and your brain will adjust to running of a different fuel mix. There are also plenty of things we can do to lessen symptoms and help you build hormonal resilience.
Having good Nutritional support will help your body clear excess estrogen, reduce inflammation and restore your energy. Start with the balanced meal formula which is my gift for you.
I love helping Women navigate their own version of Perimenopause with individualised support so if this sounds like something you need help with you can learn more about working with me below or book a free discovery call to have a chat about your situation.
