Hormone Changes That Happen Before Menopause

Menopause marks the natural end of a woman’s reproductive years, typically occurring between ages 45 and 55, and is defined as 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period due to the ovaries gradually stopping the production of estrogen and progesterone, the key hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle.

Before this stage, women experience perimenopause, a transitional phase that can begin in the early to mid-40s and last several years, during which hormone levels, especially estrogen and progesterone fluctuate unpredictably. Progesterone often declines first, creating an imbalance with estrogen, while estrogen itself may rise to very high levels at times and drop below normal at others.

These hormonal shifts lead to irregular cycles, heavier or lighter periods, and symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, mood changes, breast tenderness, and changes in libido. Understanding perimenopause is important because it helps women prepare for these changes, manage symptoms effectively, and adopt strategies to support long-term health and well-being.

What is Perimenopause?

Perimenopause, also referred to as the “midlife puberty,” occurs during the time that leads up to the Menopause Phase. The diminishing production of estrogen is the most identifiable indication of the transition to menopause via the ovaries.

Perimenopause refers to the time leading up to menopause; menopause itself is defined as the point at which a woman has stopped having monthly periods for at least twelve months consecutively. For most women, the time they begin experiencing this transitional state occurs in their 40s; however, a number of women begin experiencing their transitions as early as their 30s (mid-to-late). On average, women may be in perimenopause for anywhere from several years to ten years.

Key Hormones Affected Before Menopause

A changing work schedule influences many aspects of our lives, and hormone level fluctuations are one of the most affected areas. The following are the major hormones that may fluctuate during this transition:

1: Estrogen

Estrogen is often considered the “star player” of perimenopause. During this transition, estrogen levels fluctuate dramatically, sometimes rising to very high levels, other times dropping below normal. These ups and downs, along with declining progesterone, contribute to many of the hallmark symptoms of perimenopause, including hot flashes, mood changes, and irregular cycles

2: Progesterone

While the estrogen levels vary greatly during this transition, progesterone (the calm hormone) on the other hand, is usually declining in levels. Progesterone’s function is to control the uterine lining as well as assist in sleeping better; therefore, when progesterone levels are low, estrogen is frequently unopposed which can cause heavy menstrual cycles and anxiety.

3: Lh/Fsh/Testosterone

Your brain becomes involved as well. When you begin experiencing perimenopause symptoms, your pituitary gland will produce an increased amount of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) to ‘jolt’ your ovaries into producing more eggs. You may also notice a decrease in testosterone due to LH and FSH over-stimulation of your ovaries which affects libido and muscle mass.

The Signs of Hormonal Changes

Since hormones impact virtually all of the body’s systems, symptoms can be quite random.

• For example, irregular menstrual cycles are often one of the earliest symptoms of hormonal change; cycles may become shorter or longer and may skip altogether.
• An individual may experience an increase in irritability, anxiety, and/or a lack of focus due to hormonal changes. This subset of symptoms is referred to as the “Gray Zone.”
• You may feel exhausted despite getting a good night’s rest.
• Weight gain tends to occur due to an inability to lose weight or by the accumulation of weight in the abdominal area.
• Sometimes, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep is made worse by night sweats.

How important it is to keep your hormones balanced?

While hormones are often associated with uncomfortable symptoms such as hot flashes or irregular cycles, they are in fact vital chemical messengers that regulate nearly every system in the body. Supporting hormonal balance and adapting to their natural changes over time, is essential for maintaining long-term health and well being.

How Hormonal Balance affects the quality of Life?

Hormonal balance can be defined as the invisible thread tying your life together. When there is a healthy balance of estrogen and progesterone, the result is:

Cognitive Clarity: when a woman has a steady level of hormones, it can help her cognition and protect her from cognitive decline. When she has an unbalanced level of hormones, “brain fog” is an actual phenomenon, not just a great phrase, and can cause you to experience difficulty at work and/or in relationships.

Emotional Stability: Hormones also have a huge influence on neurotransmitter levels (serotonin = the happy chemical), and when there is a balance, you will have fewer undesired emotional lows and spikes in irritability.

Physical Wellness: Estrogen and progesterone are very protective to your bones, heart and skin, among other things.

Importance of Early Awareness

Many women wait until their symptoms become severe before seeking support for hormonal shifts. However, waiting can lead to unnecessary suffering. The primary benefit of identifying these shifts early is the ability to take proactive, corrective actions.

• Understanding your hormonal shifts earlier means taking preventative actions rather than having to wait until your symptoms get worse before you seek treatment.
• When you are aware of your hormonal changes, you can take corrective actions now to help reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic disease later in life.
• By becoming aware of your hormonal changes and understanding why your symptoms occur, you take the driver’s seat in your own body rather than being a passenger.

If you take control of your health now and are aware of what you can do to help manage your hormone changes, you will enter the next phase of your life healthier and stronger than you would if you had just waited for the storm to pass.

How Lifeboost Supports Hormone Health?

At LifeboostMD, we believe every woman should have her own Hormonal Journey. Therefore, we provide a plan that fits your unique Biological needs and does not use a “one-size-fits-all” approach. We offer a clinical, evidence-based evaluation of a woman’s hormones, while offering holistic (rather than only physical) support.

1) Full Hormonal Evaluation and Ongoing Monitoring

At LifeboostMD, we use science and testing to find the best possible hormones for you. Our evaluation of your Hormonal levels will give us a baseline on where you currently stand but it is not the only thing we will do. Your hormones will continue to change over time due to environmental factors as well as changes within your body. In addition to finding your initial highest level of hormones, we will continue to monitor how your body reacts and how it changes with changes in hormones, and use this information to update your Hormone Management plan.

2) A Collaborative Approach to Medical Guidance

As stated earlier, Lifeboost provides more than just hormone testing. We provide the individual a team of professionals that works as a group to evaluate your Hormonal health. Each member of the Lifeboost team will be able to provide insights and knowledge that are specific to your situation (stress level, sleep habits, and family history) and can provide insight on the most appropriate lifestyle modifications and/or medical treatments to ensure safe and effective interventions for each individual.

3. A Focus on Wellness and a Balanced Approach

We want to emphasize the idea that wellness and balance should be more than just a symptom of not having any issues but rather the health of the individual. To achieve this, we will help you create a restorative balance that supports you with maintaining energy and mood stability during your day-to-day activities so that you can continue to thrive.

When to Seek Support from a Healthcare Provider?

One of the greatest challenges many people face is determining when to seek treatment for hormonal imbalances and when “normal aging” should take precedence over the need for treatment. Here are some signs that you may want to reach out for a professional evaluation:

Sleep Disruption: You are suffering from chronic exhaustion caused by night sweats or insomnia.

Mood Swings: You have persistent feelings of anxiety, irritability or low mood that are out of character.

Cognitive Impairment: You have difficulty concentrating or experiencing significant memory lapses that interfere with your work or home environment.

Changes Physically: You notice weight gain, consistencies of joint pain or fluctuating cycles significantly.

Take Advantage of Early Assessment Services

Early support will provide you with the opportunity to identify trends that could develop into crises later on. You may take advantage of intervention options that are available through the early assessment process and will give you a good night’s rest and the confidence to know what is happening in your body.

Putting Yourself First

Your hormone level also influences other areas of your health; thus, by putting an emphasis on maintaining a healthy hormone balance as you enter into the “new normal,” you’ll continue to have a healthy lifestyle and positive relationship. While we’ve highlighted symptoms of perimenopausal (the beginning stages of menopausing) women, we’ve also illustrated significant impacts hormones can have on quality of life for women moving through their lives. We’ve provided valuable information about managing symptoms before they occur and actually becoming aware of them and improving your chances for a successful transition through menopause.

Important Points Include

• Hormones impact your entire body; Hormones serve as chemical messenger systems throughout the body.
• Tracking symptoms as they develop, gives you a head start in identifying and diagnosing perimenopausal symptoms.
• Having someone help you determine what your symptoms are and how best to manage your symptoms gives you peace of mind during a period of unknown.

Be proactive! Rather than waiting until your symptoms are so severe that you can’t function, consider addressing them sooner rather than later so you can give your future self the best chance of successfully achieving balance, clarity and vitality for the rest of your life.