What is Perimenopause? Why Knowledge is Your Greatest Asset at Any Age
What Women in Their Late 30s-40s and the People Who Love Them Should Know
You're never too young to learn about perimenopause—this slow, progressive stage of transition toward the end of a woman's menstrual cycle. The gradual decline of hormones creates many of the often unpredictable, fluctuating experiences that define this phase. A major challenge is that most women don't realize they're in perimenopause when it begins, and currently there are no reliable diagnostic tests—so women often don't know they're in it until symptoms become significant.
The menopause transition has been getting considerable attention lately, which is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, there's fantastic new information about what happens during perimenopause, the variety of symptoms women can experience, and evidence-based ways to support ourselves through this transition—both medically and naturally. The downside? It's become a hot topic that invites all manner of quick fixes and miracle cures.
While supplements can have their place, and exercise and strength training are incredibly beneficial, social media often promotes oversimplified solutions—the single answer that will supposedly make everything better. One of the most challenging aspects of perimenopause is that every woman experiences it uniquely.
This is why it's crucial for women as early as their 30s to start learning about all the ways perimenopause might impact them. Not everyone experiences it the same way, but knowing what might be happening as you move through this transition is invaluable. Unfortunately, the medical field—including primary care physicians and OBGYNs—isn't always completely up to date. Some may hold outdated standards and understandings, leaving women feeling dismissed and frustrated with no access to help.
When it comes to perimenopause, knowledge truly is power.
The Jenga Metaphor: Understanding Hormonal Balance
The game Jenga is a perfect metaphor for understanding the complexity of our hormones and overall wellness balance. Think of it this way: Jenga represents life's balancing act, and each block represents a key aspect of your well-being—hormones, stress levels, nutrition, sleep, exercise, and more.
Some blocks are foundational, like estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol. When these shift, as they do in perimenopause, the whole structure can feel wobbly. Sometimes you don't realize how much stress is pulling at your blocks until one slips, making everything even shakier.
Removing one block—cutting out sleep, skipping meals, not resting, or abandoning exercise—might not topple the tower immediately, but it certainly weakens the structure over time. You might shift blocks around, leaning on coffee to replace energy or overworking to push through exhaustion, but eventually you reach a tipping point.
Perimenopause and menopause aren't just one missing block—they're a series of sudden shifts that make it feel like the whole tower is in danger of falling. The key is learning where to reinforce, where to let go, and how to rebuild. Instead of haphazardly stacking things back up, we rebuild with awareness, strengthen with intention, and become the best stewards of our bodies we can be.
Navigate the Noise: Your Path Forward
With so much conflicting information out there, how do you separate fact from fiction? How do you know what's right for your unique situation? This is exactly why I've created my Understanding Perimenopause online class. This foundational course provides essential knowledge about key hormones and how their changes impact your body, brain, and emotions during this transition. Armed with this foundational understanding, you'll be better equipped to navigate the noise, ask the right questions, and make informed decisions about what's best for your unique journey.
I invite you to follow my blog for regular insights and updates on women's health, hormones, and navigating midlife transitions. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter, where I share exclusive content, practical tips, and the latest research to help you make informed decisions about your health journey.
Remember, you don't have to navigate this transition alone. As a life coach, I can help you see the forest for the trees as you move through this age and stage. Together, we can identify potential pitfalls before they become problems and create strategies that set you up for a strong, healthy, and balanced future self. Your perimenopause journey doesn't have to be something that happens to you—it can be something you move through with confidence, knowledge, and support.