Navigating Perimenopause

Why am I experiencing symptoms and what I can do about them?

During our reproductive years, our ovaries produce oestrogen (estradiol) and progesterone in a regular cycle. As we move into perimenopause, ovulation slows and eventually stops. Consequently, we produce hormones differently and at lower levels (see diagram below).

Perimenopause: The Transitional Phase

In the years leading up to your final menstrual cycle (these 2–10 years are known as perimenopause), irregular changes in progesterone and oestrogen levels may cause your body to react differently. These two key hormones have a close relationship. Once you start producing less progesterone (which may happen from age 35 onwards), this may cause oestrogen to rise and fall more dramatically. This sets you off on a hormonal rollercoaster ride until your ovaries settle again. Your periods stop, and you adjust to the steadier hormonal state of low oestrogen and progesterone.

The Onset of Natural Menopause

You are in natural menopause 12 months after your final menstrual period, which can be anytime from 45 to 55 years of age (most commonly around 51 in Western countries), and thereafter you are postmenopausal. Through this transition, our bodies and brains will learn how to function at consistently lower hormone levels, which can be tricky to navigate comfortably. Hormones work together in the body like a complex symphony, communicating constantly. The knock-on effects of perimenopausal changes in oestrogen and progesterone are therefore also likely to impact your levels of testosterone, cortisol, thyroid, and insulin hormones, along with your cardiovascular, bone, and brain health (and more!).

The Impact on Health

This is a real turning point in the natural biological ageing process. If we don’t adjust and adapt, it can result in chronic, low-grade inflammation in the body (known as ‘inflammaging’). This increases the risk of more serious conditions. With more studies on the female body and menopause, we are learning how to navigate this with targeted changes in diet and lifestyle. These changes help manage inflammation and rebuild a body that can adapt and thrive in menopause.

How can I navigate this time comfortably to feel healthy, grounded, and empowered?

The perimenopause experience is complex and varied due to individual genetic, nutritional, and lifestyle factors. We must take a holistic approach to caring for ourselves and our hormones. There is no right or wrong way to navigate this transitional phase of a woman’s life. Your experience will undoubtedly be different from someone else’s, though you may find you have a lot in common with your mother.

At O2B, we talk at length with our customers about their unique health journeys. We listen, hear, and learn. We have summarized this information below in a guide to offer gentle reassurance and support during your transition through perimenopause into menopause, referred to as your ‘Second Spring’ or reverse puberty, a natural new beginning as we move from one phase of our life cycle into the next.

Experiencing symptoms in perimenopause is not inevitable, and if you do then please know they are not permanent, and the Second Spring of menopause offers a calmer, smoother hormonal ride. You may take some comfort in feedback from some of our postmenopausal women who report back to us that they feel like they have been given an opportunity to start all over again with renewed contentment and a sense of freedom, feeling more resourced, grounded, and empowered.

Menopause isn’t a curse. It’s an upgrade.

There are common symptoms associated with some of the various hormonal states and changes you may experience during perimenopause. There are also many ways to support your mind and body through this. See our helpful summary below for an overview. To discuss our recommendations further, feel free to visit us in-store at our factory in Stoke, Nelson. Alternatively, call for a personalised chat.