PERIMENOPAUSE

A brief look at perimenopause

Perimenopause is the phase leading up to menopause; a natural transition where hormones such as oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone begin to fluctuate and gradually decline. You may still have periods, though they often become irregular, heavier or lighter, and your body can feel unfamiliar or unpredictable.

Because hormone receptors exist throughout the body, these shifts can affect mood, energy, sleep, concentration, and physical wellbeing. You might notice hot flushes, night sweats, brain fog, low mood or anxiety, joint pain, or changes in libido, skin, or cycle patterns.

It’s not a disease or a single moment in time, but a whole-body transition that can impact how you feel and function. Everyone’s experience is different; for some, it passes with minimal change; for others, it can feel destabilising. The goal in therapy and lifestyle support isn’t simply to “get through it,” but to understand what your body is communicating, restore balance, and reconnect with yourself as you move through this stage.

What it looks & feels like:

  • Changes to your menstrual cycle – periods may become irregular, lighter, heavier, or closer together.

  • Mood changes – increased irritability, tearfulness, low mood, or anxiety that feels “out of nowhere.”

  • Sleep disruption – difficulty falling or staying asleep, often linked to night sweats.

  • Hot flushes and night sweats – sudden waves of heat or perspiration.

  • Brain fog and forgetfulness – problems with focus, word-finding, or mental clarity.

  • Fatigue – low energy that isn’t improved by rest.

  • Physical changes – joint or muscle aches, weight changes, dry skin, or thinning hair.

  • Reduced libido or vaginal dryness – sometimes accompanied by discomfort during sex.

  • Digestive or bladder changes – bloating, increased urinary urgency or frequency.

  • Feeling detached or “not yourself” – a subtle but common sense of disconnection from body or identity.

    These symptoms can fluctuate from day to day, reflecting how hormone levels rise and fall. Recognising them as part of a transitional process, not a personal failing, can be an important first step toward understanding and supporting your body through change.

How I support clients through menopause

I approach menopause as a whole-body and whole-life transition; not just a hormonal shift, but a psychological, physical, and relational recalibration. My work integrates psychology, nutrition, and body-based therapies to support you on all levels.

From a psychological perspective, we explore the emotional impact of change; identity shifts, mood fluctuations, relationship dynamics, and the sense of loss or renewal that can arise. Using approaches such as schema therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, and somatic work, we attend to stress responses and help regulate the nervous system so that your body can move from survival mode into balance.

Through a nutritional lens, we look at how to stabilise energy, support hormone metabolism, and nourish your body with foods rich in fibre, protein, and phytonutrients; addressing symptoms like fatigue, weight changes, or brain fog from the inside out.

As a sports therapist, I bring attention to the physical changes of this stage; bone density, muscle mass, recovery, and flexibility, helping you find sustainable ways to move that enhance strength, mood, and vitality without over-stressing the body. More importantly cutting through the absolute nonsense of myth and ‘bro-science’ out there making you feel overwhelmed and under pressure to eat 200g protein a day.

Together, we work to restore connection between mind and body, rebuild confidence, and support a sense of ease and empowerment in this new chapter of life.

Dr Louise Newson –  UK GP and hormone specialist has a wealth of resources available.

WHEN SYMPTOMS ARE UNDERSTOOD AND WELL MANAGED, THIS IS A STORY OF TRANSITION – OF LEARNING TO INHABIT YOUR CHANGING BODY AND CLAIM YOUR LIFE WITH DEEPER TRUTH AND CARE.

Perimenopause isn’t just “hormones” or the end of fertility — it’s a profound biological and psychological transition that can invite both loss and renewal. It’s not a pathology or a sign of decline, but a reconfiguration of energy, identity, and values. As hormones shift, many women find themselves reassessing their boundaries, priorities, and relationships. This can feel liberating — a return to self after years of caretaking — and at the same time destabilising, as familiar roles, attachments, and patterns no longer fit in quite the same way. Therapy can help make sense of this change, supporting you to integrate what’s ending and open to what’s emerging.Perimenopause isn’t just “hormones” or the end of fertility. It’s a profound biological and psychological transition that can invite both loss and renewal. It’s not a pathology or a sign of decline, but a reconfiguration of energy, identity, and values. As hormones shift, many women find themselves reassessing their boundaries, priorities, and relationships. This can feel liberating, like a return to self after years of caretaking, and at the same time destabilising, as familiar roles, attachments, and patterns no longer fit in quite the same way. Therapy can help make sense of this change, supporting you to integrate what’s ending and open to what’s emerging.

Get in touch to start the ball rolling

In a sea of different therapists it can be overwhelming to know who to trust. That’s why you can call me for free and chat for 15 minutes. Tell me more about what’s ailing you and ask me how I might work with you.