If you’ve ever thought, “I’m too young for that,” you’re not alone. But here’s the truth: perimenopause doesn’t wait until your 50s to show up. In fact, it often begins in your 30s or early 40s, long before most of us expect it. And the symptoms? Subtle, sneaky, and easy to misread.
Today, we’re pulling back the curtain on what’s actually happening during perimenopause, how to recognize the signs, and why understanding this phase can change everything about how you care for yourself in midlife.
It Starts Earlier Than You Think
Let’s get right to it: perimenopause is the transitional phase before menopause, and it can begin as early as your mid-30s, when progesterone levels start to gradually decline.
One moment you’re at your annual OB visit, expecting the usual, and the next, your doctor casually mentions you’re on “menopause watch.” You’re still getting regular periods. You’re still technically in your childbearing years. But internally, your hormones are already starting to shift.
Understanding the Timeline
While the average length of perimenopause is about four years, the duration can vary significantly—some women may experience symptoms for a decade or more. Menopause itself—the point when you’ve gone 12 consecutive months without a period—typically happens around age 51. All of this means the transition into menopause can be long, nuanced, and different for everyone.
And while that may feel a little daunting, this is exactly why we created this podcast—to offer support, education, and community around a stage of life that’s too often misunderstood. Our goal is to help make this journey feel less overwhelming and a lot more empowering—because you don’t have to navigate it alone.
The Vague Symptoms That Get Overlooked
The early symptoms of perimenopause are often mistaken for stress, burnout, or “just getting older.” They can sneak up on you quietly and gradually. Here are some of the most common signs to watch for:
- Waking up at 3 a.m. and struggling to fall back asleep
- Irregular periods (some cycles shorter, some longer, some heavier, some lighter)
- Increased anxiety or mood swings
- Fatigue that doesn’t match your activity level
- Lower stress resilience
- Brain fog or forgetfulness
- Changes in digestion, skin, or body temperature
Because these symptoms are vague, it’s easy to brush them off or get misdiagnosed. That’s why awareness is so important.
The More Obvious Symptoms That Deserve Attention
In addition to the subtle changes, there are also more recognizable and physical symptoms of perimenopause that are equally important to understand. These often show up a little later but can be easier to connect with hormonal shifts:
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Vaginal dryness or irritation
- Thinning of vaginal tissue
- Painful sex or discomfort during intimacy
- Decreased libido
- More frequent urination
- Increased susceptibility to urinary tract infections (UTIs)
These symptoms are commonly talked about in relation to menopause, but they can actually start in the perimenopausal years. Knowing this helps you approach your healthcare and self-care with more clarity and intention.
What’s Actually Happening in Your Body
During perimenopause, your hormones begin to shift in different ways. Progesterone tends to decline steadily—but slowly—over time. Estrogen, on the other hand, becomes much more unpredictable, often spiking and crashing before eventually declining more consistently. This hormonal seesaw can affect your brain, mood, metabolism, skin, sleep, and even your confidence.
Progesterone is often the first hormone to decline, which can lead to shorter cycles, sleep disturbances, and more intense PMS. Estrogen, meanwhile, can spike and crash unpredictably. These shifts don’t just affect your reproductive system—they impact your nervous system and stress response, too.
This is why things that never used to rattle you suddenly feel overwhelming. Your bandwidth shrinks, your sleep quality drops, and your body starts asking for more support.
Why This Information Matters
The more you understand what your body is going through, the better you can support yourself. Knowledge is grounding. It brings clarity to experiences that might otherwise feel confusing or isolating.
Understanding perimenopause can help you:
- Make intentional wellness choices
- Advocate for yourself with your healthcare provider
- Normalize your experience (you’re not crazy, and you’re not alone)
- Build a routine that supports your nervous system, hormones, and energy
This isn’t just about managing symptoms. It’s about reclaiming your agency in a season that can feel unsteady.
Shifting the Narrative Around Midlife
We’ve been sold the idea that midlife is a crisis or a slow decline. But what if it’s actually a wake-up call? A chance to reevaluate, re-center, and realign with what matters most.
Perimenopause can be disorienting, but it can also be a powerful catalyst. When you understand what’s happening physiologically and emotionally, you gain the tools to navigate it with more ease, confidence, and yes—even excitement.
What You Can Do Right Now
If you’re wondering whether you’re in perimenopause or starting to recognize the signs, here are some simple steps to begin supporting yourself:
- Track your symptoms – Keeping a journal can help you spot patterns and understand your body’s rhythms.
- Prioritize rest and sleep rituals – Sleep disruption is common, so give your nervous system a buffer before bed.
- Balance blood sugar – Stabilizing your energy throughout the day can minimize mood swings and hormone dips.
- Nourish with intention – Focus on minerals, protein, and anti-inflammatory foods.
- Build your toolkit – Whether it’s yoga nidra, adaptogens, journaling, or therapy, lean into practices that help you feel grounded.
And most importantly? Give yourself grace. You’re not behind, and you’re not doing it wrong. You’re evolving.
Let’s Glow Through It Together
We believe that midlife can be your most radiant era yet—not in spite of the changes, but because of how deeply you begin to know and care for yourself.
There’s power in naming what’s happening. There’s healing in understanding your body. And there’s beauty in choosing to glow through it—not just get through it.
If you’re looking for deeper support, check out our free Daily Glow Rituals Guide below. It’s filled with simple morning and evening practices to help you feel more energized, grounded, and hormonally supported.
Create a Daily Routine That Supports Your Glow
Perimenopause brings a whole new set of needs, and your daily habits matter more than ever. That’s why we created the Daily Glow Rituals Guide—to help you reset your rhythm with intentional, easy-to-follow rituals that nourish your body, nervous system, and sense of self—without overwhelming your to-do list.
In the guide we share:
🌞 Morning rituals that awaken your energy, metabolism, and mood
🌙 Evening rituals that support rest, hormone balance, and nervous system regulation
💧 Gentle support for detox, hydration, circadian rhythm, and emotional resilience
🧘♀️ Thoughtful self-care practices to reconnect with your glow—inside and out
✍️ Bonus pages to create and personalize your own rituals
Whether you’re navigating hormone shifts, sleep struggles, or just want to feel more like you, this guide is your starting point. It’s a free, supportive resource that helps you build momentum through simple, sustainable self-care.
Grab your FREE guide → here
