Understanding Hormones: What Every Woman Over 35 Needs to Know
Peri-Fect Timing: A Hormone Reality Check From Your Wellness Bestie
Let’s be honest - you probably thought you had this whole “being a woman” thing figured out by now. But surprise! Your hormones are about to introduce you to a whole new chapter, and it’s time we talked about it openly instead of pretending it’s not happening.
Here’s what’s happening: hormonal changes after 35 are completely normal, but that doesn’t mean you have to grit your teeth and endure them. Knowledge is power, and I’m here to give you the straight facts about what’s going on in your body so you can advocate for yourself effectively.
Pro tip: Start by having a heart-to-heart with your mom or the women in your family about their experiences. Trust me, you’ll get way more intel than any medical textbook could give you. Plus, you might finally understand why Aunt Susan was so… interesting during family dinners back in the day.
What’s Actually Happening to Your Hormones After 35-40?
Perimenopause is your body’s gradual transition away from reproductive years. It typically starts in your mid-40s (though it can begin as early as 35), and it’s characterized by fluctuating estrogen and progesterone levels that can last several years.
Menopause occurs when you’ve gone 12 consecutive months without a period. At this point, your ovaries have stopped producing eggs, and estrogen production drops significantly.
How These Changes Show Up in Your Life (And Why You’re Not Going Crazy)
1. Your Emotions Are On a Rollercoaster
Those mood swings and emotional changes? They’re real, and they’re not a reflection of your character. When estrogen and progesterone fluctuate dramatically, they directly impact neurotransmitters like serotonin. Add sleep disruptions from night sweats, and it’s no wonder you might feel emotionally unpredictable. Do not solve this with a decade long prescription for antidepressants! Seriously, let’s chat.
2. Your Body Seems to Have Its Own Agenda
That stubborn belly fat that showed up uninvited? Yeah, your slowing metabolism has entered the chat. Your body’s also becoming more insulin-resistant, which means it’s holding onto weight like it’s preparing for hibernation. Fun times.
3. You’re Tired… Like, Really Tired
It’s not just “I need more coffee” tired. It’s “I could sleep for 14 hours and still feel like I got hit by a truck” tired. Lower estrogen affects your energy levels, and when you’re not sleeping well because of night sweats, everything feels harder.
4. Your Period Has Become Unpredictable
One month it’s a light three-day affair, the next it’s like a horror movie. This is your hormones basically throwing a tantrum as they figure out their exit strategy. You’re still fertile until menopause is complete, so don’t get too relaxed with contraception just yet. Don’t you dare let a doctor prescribe you birth control for this at this stage of life - major red flag. Find a new a doctor.
5. Hot Flashes Are Your New Frenemy
Picture this: you’re in a meeting, feeling totally normal, and suddenly you’re a human furnace. These heat waves are your body’s confused response to fluctuating estrogen levels. They’re incredibly common and incredibly annoying. Sleep is essential - you need to see if hormone therapy is an option.
6. Your Sex Life Needs Some TLC
Lower estrogen can make things… uncomfortable down there. Dryness, discomfort during sex, and increased infection risk are all on the menu. The good news? It’s totally treatable. See our key points below!
7. Your Bones and Heart Need Extra Love
Estrogen was your body’s bouncer, protecting your bones and keeping your cholesterol in check. Without it, you’re at higher risk for osteoporosis and heart disease. Time to get proactive. Start lifting heavy sh*t. Protein is your new best friend. I mix a plant-based protein powder into my coffee every morning.
10 Things You Need to Know Right Now
Perimenopause can start at 35 and last up to a decade. Yes, really. Start paying attention to your body now.
Menopause is the finish line, not the experience itself. All those symptoms? That’s perimenopause doing its thing.
Your mood changes are hormone-related, not a character flaw. Before you sign up for years of antidepressants, explore hormone balancing options.
That belly weight is common because your metabolism is legitimately slowing down. It’s not your imagination. Focus on building muscle and staying strong.
Fatigue is real and it’s not just about being busy. Poor sleep + hormone shifts = exhaustion. Let’s chat.
Hot flashes and night sweats are classic signs of estrogen decline. If they’re messing with your sleep, hormone therapy is worth serious consideration.
Vaginal dryness is fixable - please don’t suffer in silence. If you’re in the US, grab some Vag of Honor from Stripe Beauty and read Dare I Say by Naomi Watts. Hello Playground is another woman-founded option I love (I interviewed the founder Sandy Vucovik here).
Get your bone density scan now, before you “need” one. Prevention is everything.
Healthy habits are your best friend - movement, build or maintain muscle, good nutrition including lean protein and fibre, and stress management can ease symptoms significantly.
You deserve to be heard by your healthcare providers. Come prepared, track symptoms, and don’t take dismissive responses lying down.
How to Advocate for Yourself Like the Boss You Are
Know Your Numbers: Get a comprehensive hormonal panel done so you can track YOUR hormone levels against YOUR baseline, not some outdated “average.” This is exactly what we provide on our Altavita Retreats, and it’s a game-changer.
Do Your Homework: Learn about perimenopause and menopause symptoms so you can articulate exactly what’s happening to your body. Dr. Lisa Misconi’s Menopauase Brain is my number one recommendation - I think it should be required reading for everyone.
Track Everything: Keep a symptom journal. Trust me, your future self will thank you when you can tell your doctor exactly what’s been happening and when.
Come Prepared: Write down your questions beforehand. Don’t let anyone rush you out of that appointment.
Be Your Own Advocate: If you feel dismissed, ask for documentation or seek a second opinion. Your health is not negotiable.
Bring Backup: Sometimes having a friend or partner in the room makes all the difference.
Ready to Take Control of Your Hormonal Health?
I understand that reading about all these changes can feel overwhelming. But here’s what I want you to remember: you don’t have to navigate this transition alone, and you certainly don’t have to just “deal with it.”
What if there was a way to get comprehensive hormone testing, personalized health insights, and a clear action plan - all in a supportive, relaxing environment?
Our Altavita Women’s Health Retreats are designed specifically for women in this life stage. We offer advanced diagnostic testing that goes far beyond what you’d typically receive at a standard doctor’s appointment, combined with personalized and compassionate healthcare guidance in a setting that prioritizes your comfort and well-being.
Picture this: spending dedicated time focused entirely on understanding YOUR unique hormonal profile, surrounded by other women who understand what you’re experiencing, with healthcare professionals who listen carefully and create actionable plans tailored to your specific needs and lifestyle.
Because here’s what I believe: You deserve to feel vibrant and healthy at every stage of life. You deserve clear answers, not dismissive responses. You deserve empowered solutions, not a gaslit eye roll. And you deserve healthcare that recognizes you as the complete, complex individual you are.
Ready to invest in your health? Learn more about our Altavita Women’s Health Retreats here and take the first step toward getting the comprehensive care you deserve.
This Is Your Permission Slip to Prioritize Yourself
This hormonal transition isn’t a problem to solve - it’s a life stage to navigate with grace, knowledge, and the right support - not alone. Your body has carried you this far, and with the right tools and information, it’s going to carry you beautifully through what’s next. And believe me, what’s next is going to be amazing, maybe the best stage of your life.
You’ve got this, and more importantly, you don’t have to do it alone. ✨
Have questions about your hormonal health journey? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below. And if you know another woman who needs to read this, please share it - we’re all in this together. Jump in our private FB group here where I share more resources and insights in a warm tight-knit community of other bad*ss women.