Let’s face it: most of us weren’t taught much about menopause.
For something that affects half the population, it’s often treated like a vague mystery—until we’re right in the middle of it and wondering what on earth is happening to our body and mind.
That’s why I want to break it down here—simple, honest, and in a way that actually makes sense.
Because menopause isn’t just a moment.
It’s a process.
A transition with different phases—and each one comes with its own shifts.
1. Perimenopause – The Rollercoaster Begins
This is where most of us start feeling off—even if we’re still having periods.
Perimenopause can begin years before your last period, often in your 40s, sometimes even earlier.
It’s not about what’s happening on your calendar—it’s about what’s happening under the surface.
✔️ What’s going on?
Your hormone levels (especially oestrogen and progesterone) start to fluctuate unpredictably.
One month they’re high, the next they crash.
That’s why everything feels so up and down.
✔️ What you might notice:
- Irregular periods
- Mood swings
- Trouble sleeping
- PMS that feels more intense
- Weight changes (especially around the belly)
- Breast tenderness
- Anxiety, brain fog, or “not feeling like yourself”
- Suddenly reacting to foods or smells
This stage can last anywhere from 2 to 10 years.
Yes—years.
And the worst part? Many women don’t even realize they’re in it.
2. Menopause – The Pause Itself
Technically, you reach menopause when you haven’t had a period for 12 consecutive months.
This isn’t a long stage—it’s a marker. A moment in time.
✔️ What’s going on?
Oestrogen has dropped significantly. Progesterone too. The ovaries are no longer releasing eggs. Your reproductive years are officially behind you.
✔️ What you might feel:
- Hot flushes and night sweats
- Dry skin or vaginal dryness
- More frequent waking at night
- Increased fatigue or burnout
- Lower libido
- Emotional sensitivity
This is the point where many women say: “Okay. Something has definitely shifted.”
But remember: menopause isn’t the end.
It’s just the midpoint of the whole transition.
3. Postmenopause – Life After the Shift
This is the stage you enter after the official 12 months without a period.
It’s your new baseline—and depending on how your body handled the previous stages, it can feel either like calm waters… or a bit like recovery.
✔️ What’s going on?
Your hormone levels have stabilized—but they’re now much lower than in your earlier life. That has ripple effects on bone health, heart health, metabolism, and brain function.
✔️ What might still show up:
- Sleep issues (especially waking around 3am)
- More sensitive digestion
- Weight gain that’s harder to shift
- Sore joints or muscle stiffness
- More frequent urinary issues
- Mood dips or low energy
- Changing skin, hair, or libido
But here’s the thing: this stage isn’t about loss—it’s about adjustment.
So what do you do with all this?
The most important thing is: understand where you are.
Because once you know what’s happening, you can start responding—rather than just reacting.
I often say: it’s not about doing everything perfectly.
It’s about doing the right things at the right time.
- If you’re in perimenopause, focus on nervous system support, sleep, and blood sugar balance.
- In menopause, keep inflammation down and reduce the overall load on your body.
- In postmenopause, it’s time to protect your bones, your heart, and your energy long-term.
And most of all—know that you’re not broken.
You’re changing.
And that change is part of something bigger, something powerful.
One last thought
Every woman moves through these stages differently.
There’s no single timeline. No one-size-fits-all.
But the more we understand what’s going on, the more we can stop blaming ourselves—and start supporting our bodies in ways that actually help.
Because menopause isn’t the end.
It’s a shift.
And you get to decide how you move through it.
