Perimenopause Is Not a Decline—It’s a Hormonal Storm

Perimenopause Is Not a Decline—It’s a Hormonal Storm

Intro:
Perimenopause is often described as the slow decline toward menopause. But ask any woman going through it, and you’ll hear a different story: mood swings, hot flashes, fatigue, low libido, anxiety. These aren’t just from low hormones — they’re often caused by fluctuating ones. Here's what's really going on behind the scenes.

Section 1: Your Monthly Cycle Isn’t “Flat”

• Day 1: Estradiol starts around 40–50 pg/mL.
  
  

• Mid-cycle: Peaks around 150–300 pg/mL.
  
  

• Pregnancy? Levels soar to 3,000+.
  
  

• After ovulation: Progesterone drops, triggering your period. And your mood and feeling like you have no brain may get worse.
  

Section 2: The Chaos of Perimenopause

• You don’t ovulate every time.
  
  

• Sometimes you ovulate twice.
  
  

• Estradiol goes from 50 → 900 → 0.
  
  

• Brain says: “Make an egg!” but the ovary can't always respond.
  
  

• This leads to overshooting, inflammation, mood swings, and cycle confusion.
  

Section 3: It's Not Just About Estrogen

• Women have 10x more testosterone than estrogen (in same units).
  
  

• Testosterone matters for libido, energy, and vaginal health.
  
  

• It peaks at ovulation — nature’s way of optimizing fertility.
  

Conclusion:
Understanding the hormonal rollercoaster of perimenopause can help you feel less confused, more empowered, and ready to work with your body—not against it. If you’re tired of being told “this is just aging,” know this: you have options, and functional medicine can help.

BOOK HERE and see how I can help you move through this midlife shift with self love.

Dr. Nadine Brinton, DC, FMACP