Perimenopause Isn’t Just for Your 40’s

What You Didn’t Know Could Be the Missing Link in Your Health

When most women hear the word perimenopause, they think of hot flashes, missed periods, and life in their late 40s. But here’s the reality:
Perimenopause can start much earlier than most of us were ever told.

At The Metabolic Edit, Hayley works with women in their early to mid-30s who are already feeling the shifts; in mood, sleep, cycles, metabolism and more. They’re frustrated, confused, and often dismissed by providers who say, “You’re too young for that.”

Let’s clear this up once and for all.

What Is Perimenopause, Really?

Perimenopause is the transition phase leading up to menopause, and it can last 8 to 10 years (or more). It’s marked by fluctuating hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone, which impact far more than just your reproductive cycle.

This phase can begin as early as your 30’s, especially if you’ve had children, experienced trauma, gone through a major life stressor, or have signs of adrenal or thyroid imbalance.

And unlike menopause, which is defined by 12 months without a period, perimenopause is not a single moment, it’s a season. One that requires attention, awareness, and support.

Early Hormonal Shifts You Might Be Missing

Without the right knowledge, many women assume something else is wrong when the first signs of hormone changes begin. You might notice:

• Increased anxiety or mood swings

  • so your doctor recommends anxiety medication or anti-depressants

• Lighter, heavier, or more irregular periods

  • so your doctor recommends birth control pills

• Trouble sleeping or staying asleep

  • so you suffer through the day without any energy

• Brain fog or forgetfulness

  • so you blame yourself for not remembering things like you should

• Midsection weight gain

  • so you start restricting your diet even more

• Fatigue that doesn't go away with rest

  • so you resort to consuming even more caffeine

• A drop in libido or vaginal dryness

  • so your intimacy and/or relationship suffers

• Feeling more emotionally reactive or overwhelmed

  • so you start to feel like you are going crazy.

These aren’t just signs of being “stressed” or “getting older”, they’re your body signaling a shift in hormonal balance.

Why Early Awareness Matters

The sooner you recognize that you’re in perimenopause, the more empowered you are to respond with care and clarity, not confusion.

At The Metabolic Edit, Hayley takes a root-cause approach, looking at how hormones interact with insulin, cortisol, inflammation, gut health, and more. Because perimenopause isn’t just about estrogen, it’s about how your whole system responds to change.

When you understand what your body is going through, you can take steps to support it, with balanced nutrition, functional testing, movement, stress regulation, and (if needed) safe hormone support.

You’re Not Too Young. You’re Just Ready to Know More.

If your symptoms don’t make sense and your labs keep coming back “normal,” it might be time to ask a different question: “Could this be perimenopause, and if so, what does support look like for me?”

You deserve to feel clear, energized and in control of your health again.
Book a consultation or join our newsletter to learn how functional medicine can guide you through every stage, starting now.