PART 1 - Perimenopause: Because Apparently Puberty Wasn't Enough

By Dr. Alyssa McPeak, DC, CFMP

"Why am I crying over a Costco commercial while sweating through my pajamas?"

If you've recently found yourself wondering if you've lost your mind, your patience, or both... welcome. Grab a cup of coffee (or maybe a fan), because you're probably meeting your new roommate: perimenopause.

No one talks about it until you're in it.

Instead, we're told things like:

"It's just stress."

"You're just getting older."

"Maybe you should try yoga."

Thanks. Super helpful.

The truth?

Perimenopause is one of the biggest hormonal shifts a woman experiences, and it can start years before menopause—sometimes as early as your late 30s.

What Is Perimenopause?

Perimenopause is the transition leading up to menopause. Your ovaries don't suddenly quit one day—they slowly begin changing hormone production, causing estrogen and progesterone to fluctuate from month to month.

Translation?

Your hormones start freelancing.

Some months estrogen is sky-high.

Some months it's in the basement.

Progesterone often starts declining first, which can leave many women feeling anxious, exhausted, and unable to sleep.

Meanwhile, your body decides this is also the perfect time to store every calorie directly around your waist.

How thoughtful.

Signs You Might Be in Perimenopause

If you've been wondering what's happening, here's a checklist:

✔ Periods becoming heavier, lighter, shorter, or longer

✔ Night sweats

✔ Hot flashes

✔ Anxiety

✔ Mood swings

✔ Brain fog

✔ Trouble concentrating

✔ Weight gain despite eating the same

✔ Fatigue

✔ Low libido

✔ Joint pain

✔ Hair thinning

✔ Dry skin

✔ Sleep problems

✔ Waking at 3 a.m. for absolutely no reason

Sound familiar?

You're not crazy.

Your hormones are simply changing.

But Here's the Part Nobody Talks About...

Hormones don't operate in isolation.

They work together with:

• Your thyroid

• Your adrenal glands

• Your cortisol

• Your gut

• Your liver

• Your nutrient levels

If one system struggles...

Everything struggles.

Which is exactly why every woman experiences perimenopause differently.

Coming Next Week...

Think hormone testing means checking one estrogen level?

Not even close.

Next week we're talking about the hormone labs every woman should know before assuming she "just needs hormones."

Spoiler alert: Your thyroid, cortisol, insulin, nutrient levels, and inflammation might be telling a much bigger story.

Trust me—you won't want to miss it.