Perimenopause: Support Starts Here

Jun 26

Feeling Off? It Might Be Perimenopause

Tired, foggy, moody, and wondering if it’s just "getting older"? It could be something more specific, and surprisingly common: perimenopause.

Many women start experiencing hormonal changes in their late 30s or early 40s, well before their periods stop altogether. But these shifts can be subtle, confusing, and all too easy to dismiss, especially when symptoms are chalked up to “busy mum life”, sandwich parenting or simply aging.

Let’s make it clearer. Here’s what’s going on, why it matters, and how you can start to feel better ~ naturally.

Perimenopause support starts here: it doesn't have to feel so confusing!

The Hormonal Shifts Behind Perimenopause

Perimenopause isn’t a sudden flip of the switch. It’s a gradual, layered transition, and it can start earlier than many expect.

Here’s what happens:

Oestrogen starts to fluctuate, sometimes spiking, sometimes dipping
Progesterone steadily declines, affecting mood, cycles, and sleep
Cortisol (your stress hormone) may spike, especially if you’re already depleted
Insulin sensitivity may decrease, making blood sugar harder to manage

Together, these changes can lead to symptoms like:

Mood swings and anxiety
Brain fog and forgetfulness
Night sweats and sleep disturbances
Irregular or heavy periods
Fatigue, weight gain, and feeling just not like yourself

What Phase Are You In?

Perimenopause unfolds in stages, and knowing where you’re at can make it all feel more manageable:

Very early: Cycles still regular, but symptoms are creeping in
Early: Cycles begin to vary in length
Late: Periods are skipped (60+ day cycles)
Menopause: Reached 12 months after your last period

Understanding your phase helps us tailor your support, there’s no generic “one-size-fits-all” approach here!

Nourish Your Hormones, Ease Your Symptoms

Food is powerful, especially when hormones are see-sawing. Some of the most effective nutrition strategies for perimenopause include:

Whole foods > processed foods
Protein + healthy fats at every meal
Fibre and polyphenols for gut and hormone health
Oily fish (think sardines or salmon): 2 to 3x a week
Phytoestrogens like flaxseed and organic soy to support oestrogen balance

Testing, Nutrients & Functional Clues

It’s not just about what’s going on hormonally, nutrient deficiencies can make everything feel 10x worse.

Common gaps I see in clinic:

Magnesium (stress, sleep, nervous system)
Vitamin D (mood, immune, bone health)
B Vitamins (energy, mood regulation)
Omega-3s (inflammation, brain function)
Iron (especially if periods are heavy)

Comprehensive testing can uncover what your body is really asking for, so we can give it the support it needs, not guesswork.

Naturopathic Support for Perimenopause

Perimenopause shouldn’t be confusing or exhausting. You deserve real answers, gentle support, and a plan that works for you.

As a naturopath, I can help by:

Identifying key hormonal and nutritional imbalances
Providing functional testing where needed
Creating a tailored, practical plan that meets you where you are
Supporting you with herbs, nutrition, and lifestyle tools to feel grounded again

You don’t need to tough it out alone, and you don’t need to wait until it “gets worse.”