Understanding Your Hormonal Changes During Menopause

Jan 13, 2023
Menopausal hormonal changes can be a difficult subject to navigate, especially if you are not sure what to expect. Perimenopause is the transitional period leading up to menopause and can last anywhere from 2-8 years, depending on the individual. During this time, your body experiences a wide range of fluctuations in hormones which can affect your emotional wellbeing, physical health and lifestyle.


The most predominant hormone during perimenopause is oestrogen. This hormone helps regulate a woman's reproductive system, moods and other processes in the body. Oestrogen levels typically decline as a woman approaches menopause and can cause many of the common symptoms associated with "the change," such as hot flushes, night sweats and more irregular menstrual cycles.


Another hormone affected during perimenopause is progesterone, which also helps regulate the menstrual cycle. Progesterone levels decline even more drastically than oestrogen, causing an imbalance that further exacerbates symptoms related to menopause.

Finally, testosterone plays an important role during this transitionary period as well. While testosterone levels don't necessarily decline in women during their menopausal years, there may be an overall decrease in the amount of testosterone produced by the body due to age-related changes. Low testosterone has been linked to depression or loss of libido in some women going through perimenopause. 


There are natural ways to manage those fluctuating hormones, and this helps ease symptoms that appear and have an impact on your daily life. Reflexology is one of the natural ways that help balance hormones even when the production levels drop. It is also beneficial to talk with your doctor about any issues or concerns you have about navigating this stage of life for further guidance on managing your health during perimenopause and beyond!


About Anne

Anne, a mother of 2 and grandmother of 3, shares her insights about health through Menopause & Beyond Menopause. She does this by sharing pearls of wisdom collected in her 72 years of living and working with clients since 1999. She deepens her knowledge by reading, researching and learning as much information on the physical and mental aspects of menopause to help you through your journey with these changes in life!

Learn more about available courses