“What’s Happening to My Body?”: A Gentle Guide to Perimenopause

You’re not imagining things.

The sudden mood swings. The stubborn weight gain. The nights when sleep feels more like a battle than a break. Maybe your periods are playing hide and seek, or your skin doesn’t feel like it used to. You might catch yourself thinking: “What is happening to my body?”

The answer, in one word: perimenopause.

And no, you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not broken.

Let’s talk about what’s really going on, gently and honestly.

What Is Perimenopause?

Perimenopause is the transitional phase leading up to menopause, when your body gradually starts producing less estrogen and progesterone. It can start as early as your late 30s or early 40s and often lasts several years before your periods stop completely.

It’s not a switch—it’s a process. And like any major change, it can feel confusing, frustrating, and even a little scary.

Common Symptoms (That Often Feel Anything But Common)

Here are just some of the shifts you might notice:

• Irregular periods – They may come closer together, farther apart, heavier, lighter… it’s a hormonal rollercoaster.

• Mood swings and anxiety – Hormonal changes can impact neurotransmitters like serotonin, making your emotions feel harder to manage.

• Hot flashes and night sweats – Sudden warmth, sweating, and chills can sneak up without warning.

• Sleep disturbances – You may wake up at 3 a.m. wide awake or struggle to fall asleep at all.

• Weight gain (especially around the belly) – Hormonal shifts can make it easier to gain fat and harder to lose it.

• Brain fog – Trouble focusing or remembering things is a real, common symptom.

• Changes in libido or vaginal dryness – These aren’t easy to talk about, but they’re completely normal.

You’re Not Losing It—You’re Transitioning

One of the hardest parts of perimenopause? Feeling like no one warned you.

You might feel dismissed (“That’s just aging”), or brushed off entirely. But this transition is real, and how you feel matters. You deserve support—not just to survive perimenopause, but to move through it with clarity and care.

How to Support Your Body (and Your Sanity)

Perimenopause doesn’t come with a one-size-fits-all manual, but there are ways to support your body naturally and gently:

1. Eat to Stabilize Blood Sugar

Mood swings, cravings, and fatigue often start with blood sugar. Focus on protein, fiber, and healthy fats at each meal to reduce the rollercoaster.

2. Prioritize Sleep (Even If It’s Elusive)

Establish calming evening rituals—cool your bedroom, limit screens, try magnesium or herbal teas. Even rest is restorative.

3. Move in Ways That Feel Good

Exercise doesn’t have to be punishing. Walk, stretch, dance, lift weights—movement helps balance hormones, mood, and metabolism.

4. Support Stress Resilience

Chronic stress worsens hormonal chaos. Try breathing exercises, journaling, time in nature, or even 10 minutes of silence.

5. Talk to Someone You Trust

Whether it’s your doctor, therapist, or a friend going through it too—you do not have to go through this alone.

You’re Still You—Just in a New Chapter

Perimenopause doesn’t mean the end of your vibrancy or identity—it’s a shift, not a disappearance. Your body is working hard to recalibrate, and with the right care, you can feel like yourself again—just wiser, more grounded, and more in tune.

Bottom line: You’re not crazy. You’re not broken. You’re transitioning. And with a little support, you will come out stronger on the other side.