Last summer I reached my menopause anniversary, which means I am now officially post-menopausal — a moment that carries both weight and quiet celebration.
Looking back at the long, often bewildering arc of my perimenopause, I feel something I never expected: gratitude.
Understanding Perimenopause: The Symptoms No One Warns You About
The symptoms that marked the beginning of my journey will be familiar to many: perimenopause fatigue, bloating, weight gain, disrupted sleep, low mood, perimenopause headaches, body aches, skin changes and gut shifts.
Many talk of the 34 symptoms of perimenopause but they arrive gradually, making it hard to know what’s “normal” and what needs attention.
But here is the truth I wish I had known: you deserve clarity, support and a doctor who listens.
1. If You No Longer Feel Like You, Speak to Your Doctor
You don’t need to have the answers before you book an appointment. But you do need to rule out underlying conditions that mimic perimenopause symptoms and to understand your full range of options — from lifestyle support to supplements for perimenopause to HRT.
Early conversations build confidence and help you feel more in control during the perimenopause to menopause transition.
2. Why Gut Health Matters in Perimenopause
If you’re not sure where to start, start with your gut. Hormonal changes can significantly affect digestion, metabolism, immunity and mood — which is why many women experience bloating, food intolerances and perimenopause weight gain. I found that gut health and mood are connected.
Supporting gut health through fibre-rich prebiotic foods, consistent routines and carefully formulated supplements for perimenopause (and vegan perimenopause supplements) can transform energy, emotional balance and inflammation.
A nourished gut is the foundation of midlife wellbeing.
3. Movement That Supports Perimenopause: Finding the Right Yoga Practice
Stress can intensify everything from perimenopause tiredness to sleep disruption and anxiety. Movement helps — but the right kind matters.
If you think you don’t like yoga, you may not have met the practice that suits you.
With 13–38 distinct forms — from Yoga Nidra to Ashtanga — yoga can support rest, strength, nervous system balance and bone health.
And the point isn’t mastery. It’s reconnecting with yourself as your body shifts.
4. The Power of Gratitude Journaling During Perimenopause
During challenging phases of perimenopause, gratitude journaling became my daily anchor. Research shows that just 10 minutes a day improves mood stability, reduces anxiety and enhances resilience — effects that are particularly supportive when hormones are fluctuating.
It’s simple, grounding and free — and it changed everything for me.
5. The Most Important Perimenopause Lesson: You Are Enough
Perimenopause can trigger self-doubt. The loss of clarity, the perimenopause brain fog, the fatigue — they can make even confident women question themselves.
But the people who love you see the full picture. And with the right support — movement, gut care, nourishment, and targeted perimenopause vitamins and minerals — you will feel that truth again too:
You are enough.
You always were.
A Few Last Q&As
What are the best supplements for perimenopause?
Shamelessly I am going to say the MPOWDER range: Peri-Boost, Gut-Instinct and Mood Food. I worked with a fantastic product research team and the formulations contain vitamins, minerals and botanicals to support women like us in mid-life. But we are all different (how fantastic!), and I would encourage you to investigate, stay curious, and work through options until you find the right fit.
Does perimenopause make you feel tired?
Yes, many talk about perimenopause exhaustion, a deep, whole-body tiredness that sleep doesn’t fix although sleep itself may be affected by night sweats, anxiety and early waking. This needs taking a 'whole body' approach including for example plant based supplements with evidence-based nutrients that support energy, gut health, mood or sleep.
What are the symptoms and signs of perimenopause?
Everyone is different. Your signs of perimenopause could include hot flushes and night sweats, sleep disruption, perimenopause headaches or worsening migraines, skin and hair changes. The best advice is to keep a diary of your changes and discuss them with your doctor.
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