Let’s clear something up right now:
You are not losing your mind.
You are not “too sensitive.”
You are not suddenly becoming an unrecognizable version of yourself.
You might just be in perimenopause—the hormonal rollercoaster nobody warned us about, but everyone over 35 is suspiciously Googling at 2 a.m.
What Even Is Perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the hormonal transition phase before menopause. It can start as early as your late 30s or early 40s (surprise!) and last anywhere from a few years to… well… long enough for you to question every life choice you’ve ever made.
Your estrogen and progesterone levels don’t gently decline.
They freestyle. Aggressively.
Think:
🎢 Mood swings
🎢 Sleep issues
🎢 Brain fog
🎢 Hot flashes
🎢 Anxiety out of nowhere
🎢 Periods that ghost you, then show up unannounced
🎢 Rage that appears faster than Amazon Prime delivery
Fun times.
Symptoms Nobody Explained Properly
Let’s talk about the real perimenopause experience:
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You’re tired, but wired
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You forget why you walked into a room
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Your tolerance for nonsense has expired
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You cry over commercials, then immediately feel fine
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You’re hot… but also cold… but also sweating
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Your body gains weight like it’s storing for winter
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Your anxiety spikes for no obvious reason
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You feel overstimulated by noise, people, and literally breathing
And the best part?
Doctors might say, “Everything looks normal.”
✨ Of course it does. Your labs aren’t having the meltdown—you are. ✨
The Emotional Side (A.K.A. Why You’re So Irritated)
Perimenopause doesn’t just mess with your body—it messes with your nervous system.
Hormones affect:
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Mood regulation
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Stress tolerance
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Sleep quality
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Emotional resilience
So when someone asks you a stupid question and your soul briefly leaves your body… that’s not a personality flaw. That’s biology.
Suddenly, you:
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Don’t want to over-explain
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Don’t want to people-please
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Don’t want to tolerate nonsense “for peace”
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Do want boundaries, silence, snacks, and sleep
Honestly? Some of that is growth.
Why No One Talks About This (Enough)
Because women are expected to:
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Push through
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Be pleasant
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Stay productive
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Not complain
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Not age
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Definitely not talk about hormones
So instead of education, we get silence.
Instead of support, we get jokes about “being moody.”
And instead of answers, we get diagnosed as:
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Anxious
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Depressed
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Burned out
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“Just stressed”
Sometimes yes.
Sometimes it’s hormones playing dodgeball with your sanity.
What Actually Helps (Helpful Part, Promise)
Everyone’s body is different, but many women find relief with:
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Better sleep routines (yes, boring, but effective)
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Strength training (not punishment cardio)
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Managing stress like it’s a full-time job
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Balanced nutrition (not starvation disguised as discipline)
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Supplements when appropriate
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Hormone therapy for some women
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Talking to a provider who actually listens
Also helpful:
✨ Laughing about it
✨ Naming it
✨ Not gaslighting yourself
The Reframe No One Told You
Perimenopause isn’t just about decline.
It’s also about:
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Clarity
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Boundaries
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Emotional honesty
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No longer shrinking yourself
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No longer explaining things you’ve already explained
You’re not “becoming difficult.”
You’re becoming less willing to tolerate what never worked.
Final Thoughts (From Someone Who Gets It)
If you feel like:
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Your body is unfamiliar
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Your emotions are louder
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Your patience is thinner
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Your intuition is sharper
You’re not broken.
You’re not dramatic.
You’re not alone.
You’re likely navigating a biological shift that deserves education, humor, compassion, and support—not dismissal.
And if nothing else, just remember this:
If you didn’t cry today, forget something, snap at someone, sweat randomly, or question your entire existence…
✨ Are you even perimenopausal? ✨
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