Understanding Perimenopause and Menopause (Without Crying into Your Wine)

Perimenopause and menopause: the not-so-silent hormonal revolution that definitely wasn’t covered in school. These natural stages mark the end of your reproductive years—and the start of a whole new chapter where your body decides to remix the hormone playlist without asking first.

Perimenopause is the warm-up act (but sadly without cocktails). It can start years before menopause, when your estrogen levels begin fluctuating like a dodgy Wi-Fi signal. You might notice changes in your cycle, hot flushes, brain fog, weird sleep, low energy, and mood swings so epic they deserve their own Netflix series. Totally normal.

Menopause is confirmed when you've had 12 months without a period—no fanfare, no trophy, just a new hormonal reality. It’s not always easy, and every woman’s experience is different. Some feel liberated. Others feel like their body's staging a revolt.

But here's the good news: you don’t have to wing it or go through this alone.

 Enter: The M Word Program

The M Word is our signature support program for working women who are done pretending they're "fine" while secretly Googling “Is it normal to rage-cry over slow kettles?”

This 6-week coaching journey combines expert advice, straight-talking education, real-life strategies, and a generous helping of humour—because if you can’t laugh about your hormones hijacking your thermostat, what can you do?

Inside The M Word, you'll learn how to:
- Manage symptoms like brain fog, anxiety, low libido, and sleep problems (without quitting your job or hiding under a duvet)
- Talk to doctors (and partners!) with confidence
- Support your emotional health and boundaries
- Take control of your work-life balance—even on your worst hormonal day

You’re not broken. You’re evolving. And this program is here to help you do it powerfully, informed—and with a support system that doesn’t involve your group chat just saying “same lol”.

 Ready to stop surviving and start thriving through the M word?
Join The M Word Program Today — because you deserve more than just “getting through it.”

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Symptoms and Management (or: “Why Is My Body Doing This?!”)

Welcome to perimenopause, where your hormones throw spontaneous parties without your permission. This stage—the rocky lead-up to menopause—is marked by fluctuating estrogen levels and a fun pick-'n'-mix of symptoms like:
- Irregular periods (aka: is it coming? Is it not? Who knows!)
- Hot flashes that make you question your relationship with knitwear
- Night sweats (because apparently, sleep wasn't already hard enough)
- Mood swings worthy of a Shakespearean drama
- Fatigue so real you could fall asleep standing up

Then comes menopause, the grand finale (technically reached after 12 months period-free), where symptoms often shift into:
- Vaginal dryness (because nature has a sense of humour)
- Weight changes (hello, mysterious muffin top)
- A dip in libido (sex? Meh. Nap? Yes, please.)

So what’s behind all this chaos? Mostly a dramatic drop in estrogen and progesterone—those once-helpful hormones now making their exit like moody celebrities.

🔧 So… How Do You Manage It Without Losing the Plot?

Managing symptoms doesn’t mean suffering in silence or buying every supplement on Instagram. It means finding what works for you. Here’s a realistic toolkit:

💡 Hot Flashes & Night Sweats
→ Keep your bedroom cool, layer your clothes, and carry a fan like the menopausal queen you are.
→ Avoid spicy food, caffeine, and that one colleague who stresses you out.

💡 Mood Swings & Anxiety
→ Deep breathing, regular movement, and journaling can work wonders.
→ Don’t underestimate therapy or talking to someone who won’t just say “it’s your hormones.”

💡 Fatigue
→ Prioritise rest, limit screen time at night, and consider short naps (guilt-free!).
→ Ditch the pressure to be “productive” 24/7—your body’s doing enough already.

💡 Vaginal Dryness
→ Lube is your new best friend. Don’t be shy—it’s self-care, not scandal.
→ Speak to your GP about local estrogen treatments if things are really uncomfortable.

💡 Weight Gain & Libido Dips
→ Gentle movement, joyful eating, and compassion > calorie counting and shame.
→ Libido’s complicated—so talk about it, laugh about it, and know it can return (especially when you're not exhausted and sweaty 24/7).

🧡 The M Word Can Help You Navigate All of This

In The M Word program, we deep-dive into symptom management with real strategies that fit your actual life. We’re talking:
- Menopause-friendly nutrition that won’t ruin dinner
- Mindset tools for managing stress, guilt, and rage-crying in the supermarket
- Movement suggestions (no burpees required)
- Expert advice on hormones, HRT, and when to see your GP

You don’t need to tough it out.
You need a plan, support, and a few good laughs along the way.
And that’s exactly what we do inside The M Word.

 

Comprehensive Treatments for

Menopause and Perimenopause (AKA: The Hormonal Plot Twist)

Ah, menopause and perimenopause—the hormonal double act you didn’t audition for. One day you’re cruising along, maybe forgetting your keys occasionally… the next you’re crying over tea adverts and sweating through your duvet like you’ve run a marathon in your sleep.

Perimenopause is the transitional phase that can start years before menopause. Think of it as puberty in reverse—but with fewer pimples and more unexpected rage over slow-loading apps. Menopause is officially confirmed when you’ve gone 12 months without a period and your hormones have officially moved into early retirement.

These phases are completely normal (if slightly ridiculous at times), and while they come with their fair share of “what fresh hell is this?” moments—like hot flushes, mood swings, sleep disruption, and libido going on an extended vacation—there are ways to manage it all without losing your mind (or your favourite jumper to sweat stains).

 Treatment Options: What Actually Helps?

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach—but there are options. And good news: none of them involve suffering in silence or chanting by moonlight (unless you’re into that).

 Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Still the gold standard for many women. HRT helps restore estrogen balance, reduce hot flashes, boost mood, improve sleep, and generally make you feel more like yourself (minus the random crying over spilled coffee).
- It’s safe for most women (talk to your GP)
- Comes in patches, pills, gels, and even body-friendly bling (okay, not bling—but you get it)

 Natural & Alternative Options
Not into hormones? Totally valid. Other options include:
- Herbal supplements (like black cohosh or sage—although consult your GP, especially if you’re on meds)
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – helpful for mood swings, anxiety, and reframing that “I hate everyone” vibe
- Dietary tweaks – cutting back on sugar, caffeine, and wine (we know, sorry) can help balance symptoms

 Lifestyle Support
Exercise, mindfulness, sleep hygiene, boundary-setting, and not agreeing to every PTA bake sale when you’re already running on fumes? That counts too.

Your Journey, Your Choice

The key takeaway? You don’t have to just “get through it.”
With the right support, a little humour, and a treatment plan that fits you, this stage can be less of a battle and more of a (wobbly) victory march into your next era.

In The M Word program, we explore all your options—medical, natural, emotional, and practical—with zero judgment and lots of laughs. Because navigating menopause shouldn’t feel like guesswork with a side of night sweats