You’re not imagining it. Your body is changing — and you’re definitely not alone.
If you’re in your late 30s, 40s or even early 50s and noticing hot flushes, mood swings, night sweats, or irregular periods, you could be in perimenopause. But what’s actually going on inside your body? Let’s break it down.
What is perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the transitional stage leading up to menopause (which is officially defined as 12 months without a menstrual period). It usually starts in your 40s but can begin as early as your mid-30s, lasting anywhere from a few years up to a decade.
During this time, your ovaries don’t follow the neat, predictable hormonal patterns you had in your 20s and 30s. Hormone levels — especially estrogen and progesterone — start to fluctuate wildly.
How hormones shift during perimenopause
Imagine your hormones as a dance: in your reproductive years, estrogen and progesterone move together in rhythm.
In perimenopause:
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Estrogen becomes unpredictable – it can spike very high some days and drop suddenly.
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Progesterone gradually declines – because ovulation becomes less regular.
These changes can cause:
✅ Hot flushes
✅ Mood swings or anxiety
✅ Heavier or irregular periods
✅ Sleep disturbances
✅ Brain fog and forgetfulness
Why am I getting hot flushes?
Hot flushes happen because of estrogen fluctuations affecting the brain’s temperature control centre (the hypothalamus). When estrogen drops, your brain thinks you’re overheating — so it triggers sweating and dilates blood vessels to cool you down.
Common triggers include:
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Caffeine
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Alcohol
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Spicy food
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Stress
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Warm environments
💡 Tip: Keeping a symptom diary can help you identify and avoid your biggest triggers.
Why muscle & gut health matter now more than ever
As estrogen declines, we naturally lose muscle and bone density — increasing risk of:
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Osteopenia / osteoporosis
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Slower metabolism
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Weight gain, especially around the belly
Gut health also plays a huge role: your microbiome helps regulate estrogen metabolism. Constipation or dysbiosis (gut imbalance) can lead to “recycling” of old estrogen, which can worsen symptoms.
Natural support for perimenopause
While perimenopause is unavoidable, there are things you can do to feel better:
✅ Prioritise protein & strength training – support muscle & metabolism
✅ Manage stress – yoga, breathing, meditation
✅ Balance your gut – fibre, probiotics, and stay hydrated. Fruitful Digest and Berry Cleanse will help to keep your gut happy
✅ Explore herbal blends – Vanilla Happy and Latte Liberate will help ease hot flushes and mood swings. I also recommend Vitex Capsules (unfortunately we don't sell those) they will help with balancing Progesterone
✅ Sleep routine – consistent bedtime, limit screens before bed
You’re not alone
Perimenopause is a big transition — physically and emotionally. Talking about it, learning what’s happening in your body, and making small lifestyle shifts can make a big difference.
✨ Curious about specific symptoms?
👉 Explore our natural blends for hormone balance and our blends for Gut Balance
Stay empowered — your next chapter can be your strongest yet.
