Perimenopause isn’t a punchline, it’s a profound biological shift that affects everything from your sleep to your sanity to your sex drive. Yet too many women are still being handed outdated advice, dismissive responses, or flat-out myths.
Let’s set the record straight, with evidence, not embarrassment, and reclaim this chapter like the hormone-savvy queens we are.
MYTH #1: “Perimenopause is just a minor inconvenience.”
TRUTH: It’s a full-body, full-life transformation.
This isn’t just “a few hot flashes.” Perimenopause affects your brain, heart, metabolism, mood, bones, libido, and more. One review found that over 80% of women experience moderate to severe symptoms, lasting anywhere from 4 to 10 years. That’s not minor. That’s a marathon. [Source]
MYTH #2: “Perimenopause only happens to older women.”
TRUTH: It can start in your late 30s. Yes, really.
Perimenopause often begins in your early 40s, and in some women, even as early as their late 30s. If your cycle is changing and your moods are swinging like a pendulum, it might not be “just stress.” It might be your hormones dialing up the remix. [Source]
MYTH #3: “It’s all in your head.”
TRUTH: It’s in your hormones, your nervous system, brain, and body.
Mood swings, brain fog, and energy crashes aren’t imaginary; they’re biochemical. Estrogen impacts serotonin, dopamine, and cognitive function. You’re not losing your mind, you’re experiencing a natural hormonal transition. [Source]
MYTH #4: “Nothing can help perimenopausal symptoms.”
TRUTH: There are legitimate, personalized, and powerful solutions.
From strength training and blood sugar balance to hormone therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), there are evidence-based tools that can help you shift from surviving to thriving. The key? Individualized care, not one-size-fits-all advice. [Source]
MYTH #5: “Perimenopause is the end of your sexy self and life as you know it.”
TRUTH: It can be the beginning of your most empowered, connected, and joyful chapter yet.
Hormonal changes can affect libido and vaginal health, but they don’t end your sex life. In fact, many women in perimenopause report more satisfying intimacy than ever before, especially when supported with physiological, emotional, and relational tools: lubrication, communication, mindset work, and redefining what intimacy looks like as bodies change. [Source]
MYTH #6: “Perimenopause means you’re getting old and irrelevant.”
TRUTH: It means you’re seasoned, savvy, and stepping into your power.
Let’s ditch the ageist narratives. Perimenopause isn’t a downgrade, it’s a recalibration. With it comes wisdom, stronger boundaries, and deeper self-ownership.
Think about it. By your 40s and 50s, you’ve likely:
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Navigated career pivots, family shifts, grief, growth, and reinvention
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Let go of roles, relationships, or routines that drain you
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Stopped living to please, and started living with purpose
That’s not irrelevance. That’s relevance, redefined.
And the Science Backs It Up
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Emotional resilience improves:
A landmark study by Avis et al. (2009) found that postmenopausal women reported greater emotional stability, increased self-esteem, and less anxiety compared to their premenopausal years. -
Cognitive clarity rebounds:
After the brain fog of perimenopause, mental focus often returns. A study by Greendale et al. (2010, Neurology) found that while cognitive dips may occur during the transition, cognitive function often stabilizes or improves afterward. -
Confidence rises:
Sociological studies show that midlife women are more likely to make bold changes, starting businesses, leaving toxic relationships, or designing lives that reflect their true values. This is a time of power, not decline.
Let’s Rewrite the Narrative
You’re not “past your prime”—you’re redefining it.
You’re not disappearing—you’re becoming undeniable.
You’re not declining—you’re rising, louder and more aligned than ever.
Perimenopause isn’t the end of something, it’s the ignition switch for your next, most liberated era.
In Summary: This Is Your Do-Over, Not Your Downfall
Perimenopause is not a punishment. It’s a portal.
You are not broken, you’re becoming.
And you are stunning in the process.
Want More Real Talk With Real Support?
Join my Facebook live sessions Wednesday at 7:00 PM EST for Menopause After Dark in our private Facebook community, The Joy of Menopause.
Real talk. No shame. Just straight-up support and science, with a side of sass