Are you feeling irritable and frustrated? Are your moods shifting suddenly? Are you feeling anxious, have health concerns or you are worried about the changes in your body and the future? Experiencing brain fog, loss of libido, helplessness, depression or low mood?
These feelings are all normal and can vary greatly from woman to woman. Some may feel empowered by the transition, while others might struggle with the changes in their body and emotions. This article aims to help you understand what you’re going through and offer solutions and support. Perimenopause, a natural part of aging, signals the transition toward menopause, and as your ovaries “retire,” your body undergoes significant changes. It’s a powerful, often challenging shift, but with the right knowledge and tools, you can navigate it with confidence.
The Ovarian Retirement Party
Not really a party for every woman! Women are born with a finite number of eggs in their ovaries. As you age, the number and quality of these eggs’ decreases. By perimenopause, the ovarian reserve (number of eggs) is significantly diminished. You may experience fluctuations in hormone production. Your ovaries produce hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, which regulate menstrual cycles, reproduction, and other bodily functions.
During perimenopause, hormone production becomes irregular as the ovaries start to slow down, leading to fluctuating estrogen levels. This causes symptoms like hot flashes, irregular periods, and mood swings.
In a woman’s reproductive years, the ovaries release an egg during ovulation each month. As perimenopause progresses, ovulation becomes sporadic or stops altogether because of hormonal imbalances and declining egg quality.
Decreased Sensitivity to Hormonal Signals
The hypothalamus and pituitary gland regulate ovarian function by releasing hormones like follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).
As ovarian function declines, the ovaries become less responsive to these signals, resulting in a rise in FSH levels and further irregularity in hormone production. In the earlier stages of perimenopause, the body may experience “estrogen dominance,” where progesterone drops more rapidly than estrogen. This imbalance can cause heavy or erratic periods.
As the ovaries wind down further, estrogen levels drop, leading to menopausal symptoms like vaginal dryness, bone loss, and reduced skin elasticity. When the ovaries stop releasing eggs and producing significant amounts of hormones, menstruation ceases permanently. This marks the official onset of menopause, defined as 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period.
In essence, the ovaries “retire” by gradually decreasing their activity, leading to reduced fertility, hormonal changes, and eventually menopause. This transition can take several years and affects each woman differently.
Adrenal Glands are Invited to the Party
The primary goal of the adrenal glands (located above the kidneys) then become the main source of hormone production after menopause. The adrenal glands produce androgens, such as androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which can be converted into small amounts of estrogen (specifically estrone) in peripheral tissues. Although these hormones are produced in smaller quantities, they help maintain certain bodily functions, like bone density and libido, after menopause. Fat cells contain an enzyme called aromatase, which converts androgens (from the adrenal glands) into estrone, a weaker form of estrogen.
This process is why postmenopausal women with higher levels of body fat may have slightly higher estrogen levels compared to leaner women.
Exhausted Adrenal Glands May Refuse the Workload
Women who are overweight or have poor adrenal function often experience more severe menopausal symptoms due to the complex interplay of hormones, fat tissue, and stress-response mechanisms, the symptoms of exhausted adrenal glands are:
- Increased inflammation
- Worsened thermoregulation
- Higher risk of insulin resistance
- Reduced backup hormone production
- Increased stress response
- Weaker resilience to stressors
- Excess fat increases cortisol production, further taxing the adrenal glands
Addressing This Vicious Circle
As daunting as the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause may seem, the good news is that they don’t have to control your life. With expert coaching tailored to your needs and the right medical support, you can address underlying issues like poor adrenal function, weight gain, and hormonal imbalances, transforming this challenging phase into an opportunity for renewed health and vitality. Together, we’ll create a practical plan to restore balance, reduce symptoms, and help you feel your best. Don’t let another day slip by—contact me today to take the first step toward a healthier, more energized you!
