08/09/2026
When I first learned about perimenopause, I expected hot flashes, night sweats and brain fog.
I didn’t expect anxiety.
Or nausea.
Or ovarian/pelvic discomfort.
Or the feeling that I just wasn’t quite myself anymore.
But the thing that surprised me most was something much more subtle…
I realized I was going through the motions.
Especially with my son.
I was there. I was doing all the things. But I wasn’t always present.
I wasn’t stopping to appreciate the little moments like I used to—the silly faces, the hugs, the everyday things that normally brought me so much joy.
And that scared me.
Because I didn’t want to simply get through this stage of my life.
I wanted to actually enjoy it.
After starting HRT, I noticed changes—not just physically, but in how I was experiencing my life.
And it made me realize that hormonal changes can affect so much more than our periods and body temperature. They can impact sleep, mood, energy, stress, cognition and how connected we feel to ourselves.
HRT isn’t the answer for everyone, and every symptom isn’t necessarily hormonal. But we also shouldn’t dismiss what we’re experiencing as simply “getting older.”
There are things we can do to support ourselves—lifestyle changes, nutrition, movement, targeted supplements, and for some women, medical options like HRT.
Because women shouldn’t just survive perimenopause.
We should feel strong, connected, present—and excited about our lives. ❤️
What was the perimenopause symptom that completely caught YOU off guard?
WomensHealth HealthyAging MidlifeWomen