Perimenopause & Menopause: A New Chapter, Not an Ending

I didn’t recognize the beginning of perimenopause when it arrived. It didn’t knock loudly or announce itself. It slipped in quietly, showing up as little changes I kept brushing off. My cycle, once predictable, suddenly became irregular. Some months it came early, others late, and sometimes it brought emotions that felt much bigger than the moment deserved. I blamed stress, work, not enough sleep didn’t even think about hormones.

As things continued to shift, I did what most of us are taught to do: I went to the doctor. More than once. I explained the sleep issues, the mood swings, the strange warmth at night, the unpredictable cycles. And every time, I walked out with the same feeling - no one was connecting the dots. No one suggested it could be perimenopause. I was told it was stress, or normal aging, or “just one of those things.”. It became painfully clear that many healthcare providers simply aren’t educated in this area, and that left me feeling confused and alone with a body I didn’t recognize.

Then came the nights when I’d wake up warm for no reason, or the mornings when I felt like I’d slept but didn’t feel rested.  Then there were hot flashes that came out of nowhere at work, out with friends. They left me feeling embarrassed or flustered. I’d find myself forgetting simple things or feeling more sensitive than usual. Or things that use to bring me joy felt muted.  It was subtle at first, then obvious. My body was changing, and I didn’t know how to navigate it. But my body kept speaking, and eventually I understood.

I was in perimenopause; the long, twisting transition before menopause itself. A natural shift. A recalibration. Not something to fear, but something to grasp. And definitely something to learn more about.  What I didn’t know is there are over 100 symptoms related to this change and although I just mentioned some of the more common ones there are some very strange symptoms.

Once I understood what was happening, everything started to make sense. The shifting cycles. The restless nights. The mood swings. The sudden waves of heat. None of it was random. They were signals signs that my hormones were fluctuating and my body was adjusting to a new rhythm.

That understanding didn’t erase the symptoms, but it gave me clarity. It allowed me to trust the signals my body was giving me  and most importantly I was relieved to know I wasn’t going crazy.

And then there was…. menopause

What surprised me most wasn’t the transition from perimenopause to menopause.  it was what came after.

Once I stopped resisting the changes and started listening to them, something shifted inside me. I became more honest with myself.  I became more intentional about where my energy went. I said no more often. I felt less pressure to be everything to everyone.

For me when menopause finally arrived quietly, without drama it didn’t feel like an ending. It felt like a settling. A new steadiness. A chapter where:

-       my energy felt more even

-       my priorities were clearer

-       my boundaries were stronger

-       I felt more grounded

I’m not saying the symptoms disappeared - that would be wishful thinking. They were still there. Some days I didn’t feel like myself at all, and other days I almost felt like the old me again. That’s the nature of hormonal shifts; they fluctuate without warning.

Supporting Yourself Through the Transition

Perimenopause and menopause are a wild ride that no one can truly prepare you for. And because it can last a long time, finding ways to navigate the changes becomes essential. Whether it’s HRT, bioidentical hormones, or natural supplements that support your body, the choice is yours. And in the past 10 years the number of natural supports has increased dramatically.   For example, a Canadian company St. Francis grows organic herbs and makes tinctures that can provide help during the transition. 

Even though this transition is natural, support makes a difference and the things you do to support that.

-       nourishing foods that support bone, heart, and metabolic health

-       eat enough protein, women often don’t get enough

-       movement that builds strength and steadiness

-       sleep habits that help the body regulate

-       stress‑reduction practices that calm the nervous system

-       open conversations with healthcare providers about symptom support options

It’s not about fixing your body its about supporting it where it’s at.

A chapter worth honouring

If I could sit across from another woman just entering this chapter, I’d tell her this: You’re not disappearing you’re changing. This chapter isn’t about what’s gone; it’s about embracing the person you’re becoming.  Like a butterfly emerging from the chrysalis, the new you is something to celebrate.