Menopause Files

Menopause sucks. You don’t.

Enter your next stage like a boss bitch.

Welcome to The Menopause Files - a no-fluff, no-filter guide to what the hell is happening to your brain, your body, and your sanity.

Menopause isn’t the end. It’s the beginning of your next era - the one where you stop apologizing, stop tolerating, and start running things. Yeah, your hormones may be spiraling, your sleep may be trash, and your fuse may be shorter than ever… but underneath that? You’re leveling up.

This is the part of life where you get to take the crown. Rage, sweat, power and all.

So no, you’re not “just getting older.” You’re entering your boss bitch era - and this blog is here to help you do it loud, smart, and supported.

Menopause: What Do You Hate Most About It?

Me? It’s the brain fog and fatigue. Nothing made me feel older than wandering around the house with a blank stare, looking for my phone… that I lost while searching for my keys.

If you’ve ever opened the fridge and forgotten why, or started a sentence and lost it halfway through-welcome to menopause. You’re not broken. You’re not alone. And no, this isn’t just “aging gracefully.” It’s hormonal. And it’s manageable.

This is the start of a blog series all about menopause-what’s happening in your body, what’s not your fault, and what we can actually do to feel like ourselves again. Spoiler alert: you don’t have to tough it out.

What Is Menopause?

Menopause is defined as 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, marking the end of your reproductive years. But the part that throws most of us into chaos? That’s perimenopause-the hormonal rollercoaster that can start 5–10 years earlier.

For many, perimenopause begins in your early to mid-40s, though some notice changes even sooner. Symptoms can sneak in subtly....irregular periods, night sweats, brain fog...or hit like a brick wall.

🧪 What’s Changing in My Body (And Why Does It Suck)?

Let’s talk chemistry. Here are the key hormone shifts and how they relate to your most frustrating symptoms:

1. Estrogen Drops

• This is the big one. Estrogen helps regulate mood, memory, temperature, skin elasticity, vaginal moisture, and bone density.

• Symptoms: Hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood swings, thinning skin, joint aches, memory issues, and weight gain.

2. Progesterone Plummets

• Progesterone has a calming effect on the brain. It helps you sleep and balances estrogen.

• Symptoms: Anxiety, insomnia, PMS-type symptoms, irregular/heavy periods (during perimenopause), and irritability.

3. Testosterone Declines

• Yes, women have testosterone too! It fuels libido, confidence, motivation, and muscle tone.

• Symptoms: Low sex drive, fatigue, lack of motivation, muscle loss, and brain fog.

4. Cortisol & Thyroid Take a Hit

• Menopause increases stress hormone sensitivity and can unmask thyroid sluggishness.

• Symptoms: Fatigue, weight gain, anxiety, irritability, and trouble concentrating.

⏳ How Long Does It Last?

• Perimenopause can last 4–10 years. Yep, years.

• Menopause itself is permanent (you’re technically postmenopausal for life), but most disruptive symptoms improve within 2–7 years unless untreated.

Here’s the truth: your symptoms don’t always “go away” on their own. Many women continue to experience low libido, vaginal dryness, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and weight struggles well into their 60s and beyond—unless they get help.

Over-the-Counter Relief (Natural Doesn’t Always Mean Better-but Sometimes Helps)

Some women get relief with lifestyle changes and supplements. Here’s what has the most evidence (or at least the least hype):

Supplements

• Black Cohosh – mild improvement in hot flashes for some

• Maca Root – mood and libido support

• Magnesium Glycinate – anxiety, sleep, and headaches

• B-complex vitamins – adrenal support and mood regulation

• Ashwagandha – adaptogenic stress support

Lifestyle

• Regular strength training – preserves bone and muscle

• Cardio – boosts mood, metabolism, and sleep

• Stress reduction – cortisol management is key

• Sleep hygiene – lights out, no screens, magnesium at bedtime

 Prescription Treatment Options

You don’t have to white-knuckle menopause. Here are two broad categories of prescription support:

1. Traditional HRT

• Usually synthetic or derived from animal sources (e.g., Premarin)

• Fixed-dose pills or patches

• Used for decades but got a bad rep after early studies showed increased breast cancer risk in certain populations

2. BHRT (Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy)

• Plant-based, customized to mimic your natural hormones exactly

• Typically delivered via cream, pellet, troche, or capsule

• Often tailored based on your symptoms and lab results

(More on BHRT in Blog 2.)

A Note About Symptoms

Menopause isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your experience may focus more on mood than hot flashes, or more on weight gain than vaginal dryness. That’s why in this series, we’ll take a closer look at specific symptoms—what causes them, and what we can do about them, from both natural and medical perspectives.

Here’s what’s coming:

• Brain fog & memory loss

• Sleep problems

• Weight gain (especially belly fat)

• Mood swings, rage, and anxiety

• Low libido and painful sex

• Fatigue that feels like burnout

❤️ Let’s Talk About It

I built this blog series because too many women feel like they’re falling apart, when really—they just need their hormones supported.

What’s YOUR least favorite symptom of menopause?

Leave a comment, shoot me a message, or tell me in person. I’d love to include your voice in our next post!

Relate?? Schedule your Hormone Consultation and lets work on getting you balanced!

Schedule a BHRT consultation