Menopause marks the official end of your reproductive years. It is defined as twelve months without a menstrual cycle, which usually happens between ages 45 and 55. Many women are told to expect menopause as the moment symptoms begin, but the reality is that most changes start years earlier in perimenopause.

By the time menopause arrives, ovulation has stopped and progesterone is very low. Estrogen has also declined, testosterone continues to taper, and cortisol often remains unstable. These shifts are part of a natural transition, and how you feel depends on how well your hormones and nervous system adapt to this new baseline.

When Balance Shifts:

The result is a body that has settled into a new hormonal baseline. Some women feel relief when their cycles end, while others continue to experience hot flashes, weight changes, and mood symptoms.

Common Signals of Perimenopause

• Absence of periods (12 months without a cycle)

• Hot flashes or night sweats

• Vaginal dryness or discomfort with intimacy

• Mood swings or changes in emotional resilience

• Sleep disruption

• Weight gain or body composition changes

• Lower energy and libido

• Brain fog or memory changes

These symptoms reflect the new balance of low estrogen, minimal progesterone, declining testosterone, and unstable cortisol.

Hormones at the Core

Menopause is driven by:

• Progesterone staying low with no ovulation

• Estrogen settling at a new, lower baseline

• Testosterone continuing its slow decline, impacting energy, strength, and libido

• Cortisol often staying elevated from years of stress, worsening sleep, weight gain, and mood symptoms