Perimenopause: The Transition Nobody Prepared Us For

Leah (sapphire moon)
Jun 14
5 min read

For generations, women have been taught what to expect during puberty and pregnancy. We are told about menstrual cycles, fertility, childbirth and motherhood. Yet many women enter perimenopause with little understanding of what is happening to their bodies, minds and emotions.

The result is that countless women find themselves asking the same questions:

"Why am I so tired?"

"Why do I feel anxious for no reason?"

"Why can't I think as clearly as I used to?"

"Why does my body feel different?"

The truth is that these experiences may not be signs that something is wrong with you. They may be signs that your body is moving through one of the most profound transitions of a woman's life.

What is Perimenopause?

Perimenopause is the transitional phase leading up to menopause, when reproductive hormones begin to fluctuate and gradually decline.

While menopause is defined as twelve consecutive months without a menstrual period, perimenopause can begin years earlier. Many women notice changes throughout their forties, although some experience symptoms as early as their mid to late thirties.

Contrary to popular belief, perimenopause is not simply about hot flushes.

Hormones influence nearly every system within the body, meaning the changes women experience can affect far more than their reproductive health.

The Signs Many Women Don't Recognise

Every woman's experience is unique, but some of the most common symptoms include:

Irregular menstrual cycles
Heavier or lighter periods
Night sweats
Sleep disturbances
Fatigue
Brain fog
Difficulty concentrating
Increased anxiety
Mood changes
Irritability
Reduced stress tolerance
Joint aches and pains
Changes in body composition
Reduced libido

For many women, the cognitive and emotional symptoms can be the most confronting.

It is not uncommon to feel as though you have become a different version of yourself.

The Brain Changes Too

One of the most exciting areas of emerging research is the growing understanding of how hormonal changes affect the female brain.

Oestrogen plays an important role in memory, learning, mood regulation and cognitive function. As hormone levels fluctuate during perimenopause, many women report forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, mental fatigue and increased emotional sensitivity.

These experiences are often referred to as "brain fog".

For years, women were told these symptoms were simply stress, ageing or something they needed to push through. Today, research is increasingly validating what women have been saying for decades.

The changes are real.

This is not a lack of intelligence, motivation or resilience.

It is a biological transition occurring within the brain and body.

The Impact on Mental Health

Perimenopause can also have a significant impact on psychological wellbeing.

Many women report increased anxiety, lower mood, irritability and feeling emotionally overwhelmed by situations they once managed with ease.

Part of this can be attributed to hormonal fluctuations. However, it is also important to recognise that perimenopause often occurs during a particularly demanding stage of life.

Women may be navigating careers, raising children, caring for ageing parents, managing households and supporting everyone around them while simultaneously experiencing major physiological changes themselves.

Perhaps it is not surprising that so many women feel exhausted.

What Happens to Our Bones?

One of the less visible changes occurring during perimenopause involves bone health.

Oestrogen helps protect bone density throughout a woman's life. As hormone levels decline, bone loss can begin to occur more rapidly.

This is important because osteoporosis often develops silently, without obvious symptoms until a fracture occurs.

Building and maintaining strong bones during midlife is one of the most valuable investments women can make in their future health.

Why Muscle Matters

When many women notice changes during perimenopause, they focus on weight gain.

While weight changes can occur, researchers are increasingly encouraging women to shift their attention towards something far more important: muscle.

Muscle supports:

Strength and mobility
Balance and stability
Metabolic health
Blood sugar regulation
Bone protection
Healthy ageing

From our forties onwards, women naturally begin losing muscle mass if steps are not taken to maintain it.

This is why resistance training has become one of the most strongly recommended forms of exercise for women entering midlife.

Strength training is not about becoming smaller.

It is about becoming stronger.

The Growing Interest in Creatine

For many years, creatine was associated primarily with athletes and bodybuilders.

Today, researchers are exploring its potential benefits for women's health, particularly during perimenopause and menopause.

Creatine plays an important role in cellular energy production and has been studied for its effects on:

Muscle strength
Exercise recovery
Physical performance
Cognitive function
Healthy ageing

While research is still evolving, early findings suggest creatine may support both physical and cognitive health when combined with regular exercise and adequate nutrition.

It is quickly becoming one of the most discussed supplements within the women's health space.

As always, supplementation should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional.

Other Nutrients Worth Paying Attention To

As women age, nutrition becomes increasingly important.

Some nutrients receiving significant attention within the research include:

Protein
Vitamin D
Calcium
Omega-3 fatty acids
Magnesium
B vitamins

These nutrients play important roles in supporting muscle mass, bone health, energy production, cognitive function and overall wellbeing.

Rather than chasing quick fixes, the goal should be creating sustainable habits that support long-term health.

What Should Women Be Doing During Midlife?

The research is becoming increasingly clear.

Women's health cannot be approached in the same way at 45 as it was at 25.

Some of the most protective habits women can adopt include:

Participating in regular strength training
Prioritising adequate protein intake
Supporting bone health
Protecting sleep
Managing stress
Remaining socially connected
Monitoring hormonal and metabolic health
Seeking evidence-based healthcare when needed

Most importantly, women need education.

Because knowledge allows us to make informed decisions about our health rather than blaming ourselves for changes we do not understand.

A New Conversation About Ageing

For too long, ageing has been framed as something women should fear.

Perhaps it is time for a different conversation.

What if this chapter of life is not about decline?

What if it is about adaptation?

What if the wisdom traditionally associated with the Crone was never about becoming less, but about becoming more aware, more intentional and more connected to what truly matters?

Perimenopause is not simply the end of youth.

It is a transition.

A threshold.

An invitation to understand ourselves more deeply and care for our bodies with the same devotion we have spent years giving to everyone else.

Knowledge is not just power.

For women, it is often the difference between believing we are broken and recognising that we are transforming.