Perimenopause is not just “the time before menopause.” It’s a major rewiring of your entire hormonal symphony — and yet most women are never taught what’s really happening in their body, mind, or terrain.

🧬 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓’𝐒 𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐁𝐈𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐘?
Perimenopause isn’t just about one hormone going up or down.
It’s about a cascade of interrelated changes:
𝟏. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭
Ovulation becomes less frequent or weaker → less progesterone is produced.
This leads to estrogen dominance — not because estrogen is high, but because it’s unopposed by enough progesterone.
Result: mood swings, anxiety, insomnia, heavy periods, breast tenderness, irritability, crying spells.
🔬 Progesterone also supports GABA, a calming neurotransmitter. Without it, your nervous system becomes more reactive. You may feel more sensitive to lights, noise, criticism, or even textures and smells.
𝟐. 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐥𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐲
Estrogen doesn’t decline gently — it spikes and crashes, sometimes higher than ever before.
These surges can trigger migraines, breast pain, and intense emotions.
Sudden crashes can bring on hot flashes, night sweats, and weepiness.
🌀 High estrogen can also stimulate mast cells, triggering histamine release — which is why many women develop sudden food sensitivities, skin reactions, or histamine overload in their 40s.
𝟑. 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐥 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐮𝐩
Your adrenal glands are asked to “pick up the slack” as the ovaries slow down.
If you’re burned out, depleted, or running on stress hormones — this magnifies symptoms dramatically.
🧪 This is why perimenopause often feels worse in women with trauma, chronic stress, overwork, or unresolved nervous system dysregulation.