Let’s be honest. No one hands you a manual for perimenopause. One day you’re cruising along, and the next, you’re staring at the ceiling at 2 am, wondering if your libido packed its bags and moved to another country without leaving a forwarding address. Your emotions? They’ve decided to go on a spontaneous, unpredictable world tour.
It’s confusing, a bit confronting, and for far too long, it’s been a topic whispered about behind closed doors. But here’s the thing: this isn’t some strange, isolated event. This is life. It’s a natural, powerful transition that every woman goes through. So why is it still so taboo?
That’s a question Lisa Curry is ready to tackle head-on. Because these changes, the ones that can make you feel like a stranger in your own body, are not random glitches. They are your body’s way of whispering (or, let’s be real, sometimes shouting), “Hey, things are shifting. It’s time to listen.”
This isn’t something to just “push through” or ignore. These are your body’s signals, and they deserve your attention. It’s time to pull back the curtain on the three big topics most women don’t talk about nearly enough: sex, sleep, and sanity.
The Case of the Vanishing Libido
Remember when sex drive was just… there? And now, it feels like you’d rather reorganise your spice rack or binge-watch another series. You’re not alone, and you’re definitely not broken. A dip in libido is one of the most common, yet least discussed, symptoms of perimenopause and menopause.
Hormonal shifts, particularly the decline in oestrogen and testosterone, are the main culprits. These hormones play a huge role in desire, arousal, and even physical comfort during sex. When they fluctuate, your sex drive can take a nosedive. Add in other symptoms like vaginal dryness, and it’s easy to see why sex might fall to the bottom of your to-do list.
But this isn’t just a physical issue. The mental load of these changes can be exhausting. Feeling tired, moody, or disconnected from your body doesn’t exactly create a sexy atmosphere. This is your body’s cue to explore what pleasure means to you now. It’s a chance to open up a conversation with your partner, try new things, and focus on intimacy beyond intercourse. It’s about listening to what your body needs and finding new ways to connect and feel good.
The 3 AM Wide-Awake Club
Is there a more frustrating feeling than being bone-tired but wide awake the moment your head hits the pillow? Or waking up at 3 am, heart racing, drenched in sweat, with a brain that refuses to switch off? Welcome to the unofficial club of menopausal insomnia.
Sleep disruption is incredibly common during this phase. Night sweats, caused by those wild hormonal fluctuations, can jolt you awake. But it’s more than that. The hormonal see-saw also affects your body’s production of cortisol (the stress hormone) and melatonin (the sleep hormone). The result? Your internal body clock is thrown completely out of whack.
You might find it hard to fall asleep, or you wake up multiple times throughout the night. This isn’t just about feeling grumpy the next day. Chronic sleep deprivation impacts everything, from your ability to focus at work to your mood and your overall health. Your body is screaming for rest, yet it won’t let you have it. This is a clear signal that your hormonal health needs support. It’s a cue to prioritise a wind-down routine, look at your diet and exercise, and explore relaxation techniques that can help calm your nervous system. Your body is telling you it needs a new kind of care to get the rest it deserves.
Sanity on the Brink: Are You Losing Your Mind?
One minute you’re fine, the next you’re crying at a commercial or snapping at someone for breathing too loudly. You walk into a room and completely forget why you’re there. The feeling of anxiety bubbles up for no apparent reason. Sound familiar? This is often referred to as “meno-rage” or brain fog, and it can make you feel like you’re losing your grip on your own sanity.
Let’s clear this up: you are not going crazy. Oestrogen isn’t just about reproduction; it’s a key player in regulating brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine, which control your mood and cognitive function. As oestrogen levels dip and spike, so does your emotional stability and mental clarity. It’s a neurological rollercoaster you didn’t buy a ticket for.
These shifts in sanity aren’t a personal failing. They are biological. They are your body’s way of showing you that your brain and nervous system are under a different kind of pressure. The message here is powerful: instead of fighting these feelings, get curious about them. Your body is asking you to slow down, to be kinder to yourself, and to find new tools for managing stress. It’s a prompt to explore things like mindfulness, nourishing foods that support brain health, and seeking connection with other women who get it.
Your Body Isn’t Betraying You,
It’s Communicating
These experiences, the changes in your sex life, your sleep patterns, and your mental state aren’t things to be embarrassed about or hidden away. They are the very human, very normal parts of a significant life transition.
These symptoms are not the end of the road. They are road signs, pointing you toward a new way of living in and caring for your body. This is your chance to:
- Open up the conversation: Talk to your friends, your partner, your doctor. You’ll be amazed how many women are going through the same thing.
- Support your hormonal health: Look into nutrition, movement, and supplements that can help balance your body and ease symptoms.
- Redefine your life: This isn’t about getting your “old self” back. It’s about evolving into a new, wiser version of you.
Perimenopause and menopause aren’t a decline; they are a transformation. It’s an opportunity to listen to your body, honour its changes, and step into the next chapter of your life as a fabulous, fearless, and fulfilled woman.
