This article is for educational and general wellness purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you are experiencing symptoms, please consult a knowledgeable healthcare provider.

Your Hormones in Perimenopause

Our two key monthly hormones are estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen is made primarily in the ovary; progesterone is made primarily from the sack that surrounds an egg after it is released at ovulation.

From late teens to around 35 – these two hormones are (a) in balance and (b) we have sufficient amounts of them. True, there may be a bit of an imbalance in the last few days before a period starts – we know the term for that: Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). But, in general we have a sufficiency of both of these key hormones.

The Role of Stress in Perimenopause

From age 35(ish) onwards we start to have cycles now and again where there is no ovulation. This can be an age-related decline BUT it can also be due to the impacts of stress and a diet that is high in simple carbohydrates. When we get stressed we tend to crave sugary foods for the energy boost they will provide. We busy women are not to blame in this – we work, we have kids (often doing most of the heavy lifting with these kiddies), we run households, we volunteer, we are chauffeurs, we grocery shop, we often manage on super tight budgets. We know eating out isn't the healthiest option but without a housekeeper and in-home cook (no-one has these) who really has the time to prepare nutritious meals that can be eaten on the go?

While we should expect more from our partners, society around us, and our doctors… The reality is - this stuff needs to get done. If you are not able to adjust your work schedule, find me-time, and establish a good work/life balance, then you are on the hamster wheel to hormone insufficiency.

Understanding Hormone Insufficiency

Back to the hormone insufficiency story...

When we have more and more cycles where we don't ovulate, then we don't make enough progesterone. We still make PLENTY of estrogen though. This situation is known as estrogen dominance – but it should really be called progesterone insufficiency. Estrogen is important for many things – but it needs to be balanced by progesterone. Without sufficient progesterone to create balance, many women notice changes in mood, energy, weight, and overall comfort throughout their cycle.

The Hormone Gap Between Estrogen and Progesterone

If we are not making enough progesterone and we still have estrogen, then we have a gap – the hormone gap. Many women have incorporated topical bioidentical progesterone cream into their wellness routines and report feeling more balanced and comfortable. We're talking bioidentical progesterone here, not birth control pills.

There are many different approaches women explore during perimenopause — it's always a great idea to talk with your healthcare provider to find what works best for your unique body. Many women choose to incorporate a topical progesterone cream into their daily wellness routine; your healthcare provider can help you determine the approach that works best for you. Supporting your body's natural balance may help you feel more like yourself again — and while it won't get the house cleaned for you, that's a win we'll take.

Being Ready for Menopause

The closer we get to menopause, the more we are going to benefit from paying attention to hormone balance. As estrogen levels shift, many women notice new changes in how they feel and how their bodies respond. By the time we reach the menopause transition around age 50, we produce only the smallest amounts of progesterone from our adrenal glands. We have a whole blog on why progesterone is important here.