Perimenopause Hormones Explained (In Human Language)
If you’ve ever thought, “I feel like myself… but also not myself”, welcome.
Midlife is when your hormones don’t politely decline, they start freelancing.
This isn’t a deep science lecture. It’s the “tell me, I’m a busy woman with a life” version.
First: hormones aren’t “good” or “bad”
Hormones are messengers. They don’t have personalities (even if it feels like yours has been replaced by someone named Cheryl who hates everyone).
In perimenopause, the biggest shift is not that hormones disappear overnight. It’s that they become less predictable.
The key hormones you actually need to understand
1) Oestrogen (aka the “everything” hormone)
Oestrogen supports:
- mood and serotonin pathways
- sleep quality
- skin and collagen
- vaginal and urinary tissue
- bone density
- brain function (yes, brain fog is real)
In perimenopause: oestrogen fluctuates. Some days high, some days low, sometimes both in the same week.
What that can feel like:
- hot flushes or night sweats
- anxiety spikes
- sore boobs
- mood swings
- headaches
- sleep disruption
2) Progesterone (aka the “calm” hormone)
Progesterone supports:
- calmer nervous system
- sleep depth
- balancing the effects of oestrogen on the uterine lining
In perimenopause: progesterone often drops earlier than oestrogen because ovulation becomes irregular.
What that can feel like:
- insomnia (especially waking at 2–4am)
- irritability
- anxiety
- heavier periods (because the lining isn’t regulated as well)
- PMS that suddenly becomes… PMS on steroids
3) Testosterone (not just for men)
Testosterone supports:
- energy
- libido
- motivation/drive
- muscle maintenance
In midlife: it can gradually decline.
What that can feel like:
- low motivation
- low libido
- reduced strength gains (even when you’re doing “all the right things”)
4) Cortisol and insulin (the hormones no one warns you about)
These aren’t “perimenopause hormones”, but they matter a lot because midlife is also when your body is more sensitive to stress, sleep loss, and blood sugar swings.
What that can feel like:
- sugar cravings at night
- energy crashes
- stubborn belly weight
- feeling wired but tired
Why symptoms can feel random
Because your hormones aren’t steadily declining, they’re fluctuating.
And your body is adapting.
If symptoms are impacting your quality of life, you don’t need to “tough it out.” There are options. Many. So I'm glad you're here because understanding your body is the first step to finding them.
Medical disclaimer: This blog is educational only and not medical advice. Always speak with your GP or qualified health professional for personal assessment and treatment.
