What Even Is Perimenopause? And How Do I Know If I’m In It?
Breaking the stigma and learning to listen to your body, one whisper at a time.
If the word perimenopause makes you think of hot flashes and hormone chaos, you’re not alone. It’s a phase that’s been wrapped in stigma, silence, and fear and yet, for most women, it quietly begins in our late 30s or early 40s.
And here’s the thing no one told us: perimenopause is not a moment, it’s a transition.
It doesn’t mean you’re old or broken. It means your body is shifting into a new rhythm. And just like puberty, it deserves support, not shame.
So What Is Perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the phase before menopause. It can last anywhere from 2 to 10+ years and is marked by fluctuating levels of oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
It’s when your hormones start to dance a little differently, sometimes gracefully, sometimes chaotically. You might still get a period (regular or not), but you may also start to notice:
Shorter or longer cycles
Heavier or lighter bleeds
Mood swings, anxiety, or low motivation
Waking at 3am for no reason
Changes in libido
Breast tenderness, brain fog, or fatigue that coffee can’t fix
Sound familiar?
You’re Not Losing It Babe, You’re just Changing
One of the hardest parts of perimenopause isn’t the symptoms… it’s the silence.
We weren’t taught to expect these changes. So we blame ourselves. We push through. We overtrain, overwork, and under-nourish.
But what if your body isn’t misbehaving, it’s communicating?
How to Know If You’re In Perimenopause
There’s no exact test to confirm perimenopause, because hormone levels can fluctuate wildly day to day.
Instead, I encourage clients to look at patterns:
Are your cycles different than they used to be?
Do you feel more sensitive to stress, alcohol, or poor sleep?
Do you feel like your body isn’t bouncing back the way it used to?
If you answered yes, you might be in the early stages and that’s not a bad thing. In fact, it’s an invitation to listen in. I’m not going to lie, when I first answered yes to these questions, I was still in denial that I was there… I felt like I was old, my life was slowing down and that I had to say goodbye to my once youthful self. But I know now that this was definitely NOT the case.
What Helps?
The foundation of the S.O.F.T Method™ was born from this transition.
It’s about:
Syncing with your cycle (yes, even if it’s irregular)
Overhauling primary foods (sleep, sunlight, social connection & stress-management)
Fuelling with nutrient-dense, hormone-loving food
Trusting the transition, not fighting it
Perimenopause asks us to slow down, nourish deeper, and respond to the whispers before they become screams.
You Don’t Have to Dread It
Perimenopause is a portal, not a punishment. It can be the beginning of deeper connection with your body, your energy, and your voice.
Let’s stop fearing this chapter and start supporting it.
Ready to work with your hormones, not against them?
Download the Hormone Starter Pack or explore the Cycle Reset for those gentle first steps for women who aren’t bleeding.
Or join the waitlist for the S.O.F.T Method™ Course, my 12-week guided program for women navigating perimenopause with clarity and calm.
You’re not crazy. You’re not failing. You’re evolving.
With calm and curiosity,
Kim x