What’s Really Going On in Menopause | Hormones 101
Hi, I’m Lindsey — and if you’re reading this, chances are you’re a woman in your 40s to 50s who’s feeling something is off.
You’re navigating perimenopause (or early menopause) and you’re so tired.
You catch yourself thinking: “Why am I feeling like this? Hot flashes, brain fog, mood swings, sleep that doesn’t refresh me.”
You want answers, not shame. You want clarity, not confusion.
Who this post is for (and why it matters):
If you are a woman trying to keep it together, caring for family or career, but inside you feel disconnected, exhausted, like you don’t even recognize your body anymore — this post is for you. It’s for the woman who senses her body is trying to tell her something, but she doesn’t yet have the language. It’s for the woman who’s done with the self-criticism (“I’m weak,” “I’m failing,” “I just can’t keep up”) and is longing for hope and real-life strategies.
What’s the challenge you’re facing?
Your body is changing—and not in the way you expected. You thought maybe you’d have a clean hand-off into this next chapter: a few cycle irregularities, maybe a hot flash here and there—and life would keep rolling. Instead it’s like the ground shifted under your feet:
Hormones that used to feel reliable now swing in unpredictable ways.
The fatigue is real. Your energy dips. Your resilience drains.
Your brain fog kicks in (“Why can’t I remember what I just walked into the room for?”).
The mirror shows slight changes in body shape, maybe more visceral (belly) fat, less muscle tone.
Emotionally you feel on edge: irritable, anxious, maybe a little invisible.
And spiritually—even though you’ve got faith—you’re wondering “Is this just how it’s going to be now?”
These are signals, not flaws. Your body is adapting, not failing.
Let’s pull back the curtain on what your hormones are doing, in plain language.
Hormone shifts.
In the menopausal transition (perimenopause into menopause), your ovarian follicle pool is winding down, so the usual rhythm of hormones (estradiol/estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], luteinizing hormone [LH]) is changing. Estrogen in particular plays many roles beyond reproduction: metabolism, brain function, bone health, mood regulation. When it becomes erratic or declines, things get wonky.
For example: Some of you may notice after the cycles start changing, suddenly the hot flashes begin, or the sleep just doesn’t repair you. Research is showing that the menopausal transition is also a kind of inflammatory state (yes, your hormone shift triggers a bit of “fire” inside—especially the brain and immune system).Body composition & metabolism changes.
Because hormones are shifting, your metabolism doesn’t function like it did. Fat may shift toward the abdomen, lean muscle may decline, and you may gain weight or hold on to weight more stubbornly—even if your habits haven’t changed.
Also the ability to “switch gears” metabolically (what researchers call metabolic flexibility) decreases as estrogen drops.Emotional, cognitive & sleep disruption.
On top of the physical shifts, your nervous system and brain are taking note. Mood changes, anxiety, brain-fog, poor sleep, even the sense of “not myself” are often tied to the hormone and inflammatory changes of this transition.These aren’t flaws—they’re adaptations.
When your body is telling you “I’m shifting,” it’s not broken. It’s transforming. If you receive that message instead of resisting it, you’re in a position of power. This transition period, while messy, is an invitation to meet your body differently—with compassion. Because transformation always has some chaos.
Here’s what’s possible when you begin to walk through this with clarity and intention:
Picture yourself 3–6 months from now:
Waking in the morning with a steadier pulse of energy (yes, steady, not “uhhh”).
Having clearer thinking, fewer “what was that I was going to say?” moments.
Feeling emotionally more grounded—less reactive, more intentional in your responses.
Seeing shifts in body shape—less abdominal holding, more lean strength—and knowing it’s because you’re partnering with your body.
Sleeping more deeply, waking more refreshed, feeling supported instead of defeated.
And spiritually—feeling more connected to your purpose, more spiritually aligned and inspired again not “flat.”
That’s the dream. That’s the really good stuff on the other side of transformation.
Why I’m the solution you’ve been looking for:
Because I’ve been there (yes, even the early/premature menopause, the autoimmunity, ticks, gut problems—I’ve walked through it). I bring both the lived experience and the professional expertise (as a nutritionist + certified health coach). I specialize in supporting women just like you (35–55, in peri- or early menopause) who feel the fatigue, the disconnection, the “what is happening to me?” My approach is holistic: physical nutrition (foods, nutrients, movement), emotional nutrition (stress, emotions, mindset), and spiritual nutrition (connection, purpose, community). In our work together we don’t aim for perfection—we aim for progress, freedom, reconnection.
If your body is speaking, let’s learn to listen together—so you step into your next chapter with energy, clarity and vitality.
Ready to take the next step?
Tune in to the episode on my podcast Reclaim The Pause “What’s Really Going On in Menopause – Hormones 101”. Then, if you’re ready, book a discovery call with me to explore how you can move from confusion and depletion into grounded, empowered action.
“I will give you strength for your day and the way will I make for you by which you shall go.” (Isaiah 45:2, NABRE)
May you feel supported, strengthened, and deeply seen as you walk this path.
References
Burger, H. G., Hale, G. E., Robertson, D. M., & Dennerstein, L. (2007). A review of hormonal changes during the menopausal transition: Focus on findings from the Melbourne Women's Midlife Health Project. Human Reproduction Update, 13(6), 559–565. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17630397/
Carr, M. C. (2003). The emergence of the metabolic syndrome with menopause. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 88(6), 2404–2411. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12788848/
de Jonge, E. A. L., et al. (2021). Precision nutrition for management of menopause-related metabolic changes. Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism, 77(3), 121–130. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34092377/
Lovejoy, J. C., Champagne, C. M., de Jonge, L., Xie, H., & Smith, S. R. (2008). Increased visceral fat and decreased energy expenditure during the menopausal transition. International Journal of Obesity, 32(6), 949–958. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18283234/
Nappi, R. E., & Cucinella, L. (2020). Depression and anxiety in perimenopause: Hormonal, psychological, and social aspects. Menopause, 27(12), 1326–1334. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33156163/
Psychology Today Staff. (2023). Why menopause can trigger anxiety and mood changes. Psychology Today.https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/menopause
Santoro, N. (2016). Perimenopause: From research to practice. Journal of Women's Health, 25(4), 332–339. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27055158/
Santoro, N., & Randolph, J. F. (2011). Reproductive hormones and the menopause transition. Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America, 38(3), 455–466. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21961714/
Stachowiak, G., et al. (2015). The role of estrogen in metabolism. Postępy Higieny i Medycyny Doświadczalnej, 69, 531–538. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26359528/
Yin, W., et al. (2021). Estrogen, inflammation, and the aging brain: A review. Journal of Neuroinflammation, 18, 155. https://jneuroinflammation.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12974-020-01998-9