Because Women Deserve to Thrive During Perimenopause!
Nov 25, 2025
Welcome to The Perimenopause Lab Blog
Perimenopause is the transition through menopause and comes with many changes that can affect everyday life. I’ve met so many women who feel unprepared for what’s ahead, and I completely understand why. There’s a lot of confusion out there, and not nearly enough open conversation or research on what this time is really like [1].
The terminology around menopause and perimenopause can be tricky. Many people use the word “menopause” to describe everything that happens before and after their final period, but that’s not quite right. Menopause refers to the exact time of your final menstrual period. [2]. It marks the end of your monthly cycles.
Perimenopause is the phase that leads up to menopause and includes the first twelve months after your final period. Post-menopause starts after that, but it can still overlap with the later part of perimenopause.
At The Perimenopause Lab, my goal is to make this transition less confusing and a lot more empowering. I want women who are going through this transition to move from feeling drained and uncertain to feeling energised, clear-minded, and confident every step of the way.
What’s Happening in the Body
The transition from having regular periods to reaching menopause is called the menopausal transition, and it’s a pretty big milestone in every woman’s life.
As our ovaries age, they naturally produce fewer hormones. Over time, the whole system that keeps our cycle going, the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian-uterine axis (basically, the communication line between your brain and ovaries), starts to shift too.
Both chronological age (how old we are) and ovarian age (how our ovaries are functioning) work together to shape how quickly or slowly this transition unfolds. That’s why every woman’s experience looks a little different.
Decades of research, including studies from around the world, have helped map out these changes in hormones and symptoms. This science has given doctors and researchers a much clearer picture of what’s going on, and more importantly, it helps explain why perimenopause feels the way it does for so many women [3].
Understanding this science helps us make sense of why symptoms can feel unpredictable,and why individualized, compassionate guidance matters so much.
How The Lab Can Help You Feel Like Yourself Again
Here’s what you can expect when you visit The Perimenopause Lab Blog.
I make science easy to understand. You’ll learn what’s happening in your body in a way that feels clear and familiar. No medical jargon. Just real explanations that make sense.
You’ll find simple tips you can start using right away, small changes that make a real difference in sleep, energy, mood, and hormone balance.
I’ll also go over supplements and medication options so you can talk with your doctor confidently. You’ll learn what to track, how to track it, and why it matters. I’ll share what products are actually worth your money and which ones aren’t.
I know this time in life can feel heavy sometimes. That’s why every post is kind, short, and easy to read. My goal is to help you feel calm and capable, not overwhelmed.
And maybe most importantly, you’ll hear from other women too. Real voices. Real experiences. Because this transition deserves open, honest conversation, not silence.
Why I Launched This Blog
I kept hearing the same thing from women.
“I wish someone had told me what to expect.”
That sentence stuck with me. Too many women go through perimenopause feeling unsure, alone, or flooded with conflicting information.
Some women like to take in information quietly and revisit it when they’re ready. Others simply want one reliable place to turn for answers they can trust.
That’s why I created this blog. I wanted to build a space that feels safe, warm, and real. A place where you can find accurate information explained like a good friend would share it. Every post comes from care and experience, shaped by women and practitioners who truly understand this stage of life.
Science made simple. Clear steps. More energy. Less overwhelm. That’s the heartbeat of everything we do here.
Current Progress Update
I’m in the middle of something exciting right now. The Perimenopause Lab is being co-designed with women and practitioners who will actually use it. Every part of the platform is built from real stories, real needs, and honest feedback.
To make that happen, I’ve created a short survey. One is for women currently going through perimenopause. The other is for practitioners who support them. Both help me understand what matters most, from the challenges you face to the kind of support you wish existed.
The response so far has been amazing, and I thought I would get enough by the end of October, but I think I still need more voices. Every answer helps shape what comes next, so I’m keeping it open and available in case anything comes to mind. If you haven’t taken the survey yet, please do. It only takes a few minutes and makes a real difference.
I’m not sure exactly when I’ll shut down the survey and move out of the “discovery phase”, but The deadline is coming up soon, and I’d love to hear from you before I close it.it closes.
Thank you for helping me build something meaningful, together.
Let’s Stay Connected
If this blog resonates with you, share it with a friend who might be going through the same changes. Sometimes a simple conversation can remind someone that she’s not alone.
You can also connect with me and join our growing community. Together, we’ll keep learning, sharing, and supporting each other through every stage of this transition.
🌿 Provide feedback through the survey
Every follow, share, and message helps another woman feel seen, supported, and understood. Thank you for being part of this community.
Questions that have come up this week:
1. What are the symptoms of early perimenopause?
Early perimenopause can show up in subtle ways. You might notice changes in your period; it could come earlier, later, or skip a month altogether. Some people feel more tired, moody, or foggy than usual. Others experience hot flashes, night sweats, or changes in sleep. Vaginal dryness or a lower sex drive can also happen as hormone levels shift. These symptoms can vary from person to person, so paying attention to your body and checking in with your healthcare provider is always a good idea.
2. At what age does perimenopause start?
Perimenopause usually starts in the early to mid-40s, but it can begin as early as the late 30s for some women. The timing depends on your body, genetics, and overall health. Because the signs can start slowly, it’s easy to miss them at first. If your cycle or energy feels different and you’re within this age range, your body may already be starting the transition.
3. What are the stages of perimenopause?
Perimenopause happens in phases that lead up to menopause, and each one can feel a bit different. It often starts with very early perimenopause, when your periods are still regular but your progesterone levels begin to dip. Then comes the early menopause transition, where you start noticing irregular cycles or changes in flow. After that, the late menopause transition starts once you go more than 60 days without a period. The final stage is late perimenopause, which lasts until 12 months after your last period; at that point, you’ve officially reached menopause. Knowing these stages helps you understand what’s happening in your body and gives you a sense of what to expect next.
Sources:
- Cunningham, Adam C., Yella Hewings-Martin, Aidan P. Wickham, Carley Prentice, Jennifer L. Payne, and Liudmila Zhaunova. "Perimenopause symptoms, severity, and healthcare seeking in women in the US." npj Women's Health 3, no. 1 (2025): 12. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44294-025-00061-3
- Harlow, Siobán D., Margery Gass, Janet E. Hall, Roger Lobo, Pauline Maki, Robert W. Rebar, Sherry Sherman, Patrick M. Sluss, Tobie J. de Villiers, and STRAW+ 10 Collaborative Group. "Executive summary of the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop+ 10: addressing the unfinished agenda of staging reproductive aging." Climacteric 15, no. 2 (2012): 105-114. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2011-3362
- Santoro, Nanette, Cassandra Roeca, Brandilyn A. Peters, and Genevieve Neal-Perry. "The menopause transition: signs, symptoms, and management options." The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 106, no. 1 (2021): 1-15.https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgaa764
