Why Perimenopause Symptoms Are Worse Than Ever—and What You Can Actually Do
Oct 07, 2025
For generations, women transitioned through menopause with little fanfare. Ask your grandmother, and chances are she didn’t experience a decade of brain fog, heavy periods, and emotional breakdowns.
So what changed?
Modern stress, hormone-disrupting chemicals, over-scheduled lives, poor detox capacity, and disrupted gut health are all part of the puzzle—and they’re showing up in a big way for women in their 30s and 40s.
Here are 4 key reasons today’s perimenopause feels so different:
1. Chronic Stress is Stealing Your Hormones
High cortisol (your stress hormone) competes with progesterone. When cortisol wins, you’re left with low progesterone and relatively higher estrogen—a recipe for heavy periods, mood swings, and sleep issues.
2. Liver + Gut Health Are on the Decline
Your liver and gut help break down and eliminate excess estrogen. But with modern diets, alcohol, chemical exposure, and poor digestive function, your body might be recycling estrogen instead of clearing it.
3. We’re Entering Perimenopause Already Out of Balance
Many women hit their mid-30s already dealing with cycle irregularities, PMS, PCOS, thyroid issues, or post-pill problems. This means we’re starting perimenopause with a system that’s already overwhelmed.
4. We’re More Disconnected from Our Cycles
Your menstrual cycle isn’t just about reproduction—it’s a powerful tool to understand your body’s health. But if you don’t know what “normal” actually looks like, you’ll miss the early warning signs that things are off.
The truth? Perimenopause doesn’t have to be hell. With the right support, you can feel better than ever in your 40s and 50s. But that support doesn’t come from a one-size-fits-all fix. It starts by decoding your symptoms, restoring rhythm, and supporting your body’s own detox, nutrient, and hormone balance.
Want to hear more? In Episode #23 The Menopause Lie You’ve Been Sold (And What Actually Works) of What’s My Body Telling Me?, Dr. Anthea sits down with Nat Kringoudis to unpack how to support your body through perimenopause—without fear or overwhelm.
