If You’re Ready, You’ll Breeze Through It. If Not, You’ll Learn a Lot.

I was always called mature for my age—quiet, sensitive, intuitive, often withdrawn. What I didn’t expect was that by 38 I would start feeling old.

I loved running daily, yet suddenly I was exhausted. I’d led large sales teams with confidence, but my stress resilience plunged—tears when my 4-year-old refused to eat (again). My libido? Non-existent. I felt irrationally angry at my wonderful husband for no clear reason.

My PMS had always been difficult, but now I barely had a single good week each month. My once-predictable period went rogue—28 days, then 25, then 22, then back to 25. It felt like moving through molasses—drained and disconnected.

The emotional rollercoaster was relentless. Sleep was awful; I lay awake spiraling into negative thoughts—ironic, given my grounding in positive psychology. I knew this wasn’t “just in my head.”

Seeking Answers: The Dead End of Conventional Advice

Like many women, I did the rounds of gynecologists. The advice?

“This is normal.”
“Just get pregnant.”
“Go on birth control.”
“Try meditating.”

None of it felt right. I knew my body—something deeper was happening.

Ayurveda and positive psychology coaching changed that. Practitioners asked about more than my periods: lifestyle, emotions, energy, digestion. Suddenly, it started making sense.

The Wake-Up Call: My Lifestyle Was a Mess

Skipping breakfast—just coffee and something sugary
Barely eating lunch
Late nights on my phone, alcohol a few times a week
Compounded by poor sleep and high stress

Sure, I was running and meditating—but I wasn’t supporting my hormones, nervous system, or energy reserves.

Then came the “weird” symptoms—tinnitus (a butterfly flutter in my ear), tingling fingers and toes, random aches and pains.

The Shift: One Simple Step

A 2-day silent retreat in Singapore (Art of Living) sparked a small habit: I started sleeping on time and said no to alcohol. That one step created a ripple. I felt steadier, so I added more changes. My husband gifted three books—The Hormone Cure (Gottfried), Ayurveda for Women (Svoboda), and Balance Your Hormones, Balance Your Life (Welch). Dots began to connect.

Perimenopause: The Science Behind the Transition

Perimenopause isn’t a disease—it’s a biological transition that often begins in the late 30s or early 40s. In Ayurveda, aging naturally increases Vata, and perimenopause aligns with a shift in life stages (Ashramas):

Kapha (childhood): growth and nourishment
Pitta (adulthood): ambition and transformation
Vata (mid-life onward): wisdom, introspection, change

Perimenopause marks the move from Pitta to Vata, bringing profound physical, emotional, and spiritual shifts.

Perimenopause as Sacred Transformation

This is not only biological—it’s psychological and spiritual. Energy moves from outward achievement to inward meaning. At AURA we often see women 39–44 seeking deeper purpose and alignment. Evolutionary roles once shifted toward wisdom and renewal; our modern lives don’t always allow it, creating friction.

What’s Happening in the Body

The Ovaries Are Slowing Down

Ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone. In late 30s/early 40s, progesterone declines first; estrogen fluctuates.

Low progesterone: less stress-buffering → more anxiety, sleep disruption, lower resilience
Estrogen swings: hot flashes, night sweats, irregular periods

Ayurveda mirrors this: as the “earth” role of the uterus recedes, Vata (air) rises. Imbalance may show up as irregular cycles, dryness (skin, hair, joints, vaginal tissues), anxiety, sleep and digestive changes.

The Progesterone Steal

Under chronic stress, the body prioritizes cortisol over progesterone (“progesterone steal”).

More cortisol: anxiety, poor sleep, belly fat, mood swings
Less progesterone: irritability, PMS, heavier/unpredictable periods

Cycle Length Gets Unpredictable

Irregular or absent ovulation means less progesterone from the corpus luteum.

Shorter cycles: early estrogen spikes → intense PMS, breast tenderness, bloating
Longer cycles: prolonged low estrogen → brain fog, low libido, vaginal dryness
Anovulatory cycles: no progesterone to balance estrogen → heavier bleeding, anxiety

Sleep Starts to Suffer

Estrogen affects serotonin and melatonin; progesterone supports GABA. As they drop, sleep fragments. Night-time cortisol can keep the mind racing.

Metabolism & Weight Shift

Estrogen normally supports insulin sensitivity and muscle. Fluctuations increase insulin resistance; muscle declines with age—slowing metabolism and shifting fat to the abdomen.

Libido Changes

Lower estrogen/testosterone and reduced oxytocin (from stress) can decrease desire and comfort. This is biochemical—not “in your head.”

Find Your Phenotype (to Tailor Your Protocol)

The “Lean, Mean Machine” (High Cortisol • Vata-Pitta • Lower Estrogen) — me!

Profile: Naturally lean, fast metabolism, high energy; history of intense PMS/postpartum depletion; stress-prone.

Perimenopause: Early estrogen dips, anxiety/irritability, worsening sleep, muscle loss/fatigue; higher bone-loss risk.

Helps: Grounding and strengthening—healthy fats/protein, strength training, barefoot nature time, spiritual practices. (With guidance) magnesium, shatavari, ashwagandha.

The “Earth Mama” (Kapha-Pitta • Balanced Estrogen • Moderate Cortisol)

Profile: Curvier build, steady metabolism, resilient yet prone to sluggishness.

Perimenopause: Slower metabolism/weight gain (belly), heavier periods, fatigue, fluid retention, insulin resistance.

Helps: Invigorating movement, spices (turmeric/ginger/cinnamon/black pepper), strength + cardio, lighter evenings, reduce dairy/heavy cold foods. (With guidance) berberine, vitamin D, chromium.

The “Androgen Queen” (High Androgens • PCOS History • Insulin Resistance)

Profile: Past PCOS, irregular cycles, cystic acne or hirsutism, central weight gain.

Perimenopause: Larger hormonal swings, stubborn belly fat, falling testosterone → lower libido/energy, glucose variability.

Helps: Protein-centered meals with fiber/fats, strength + metabolic conditioning, inositol, omega-3s, magnesium; consider rhodiola/maca; moderate caffeine.

Your Unique Protocol (Start Small)

Choose one low-risk, high-benefit shift. Do it for 7 days, then add another.

Create a daily rhythm (Dinacharya x cortisol): Wake with sunlight; get morning light exposure.
Make lunch your biggest meal: Digestion/metabolism peak mid-day—fuel well.
Exercise wisely: Swap relentless HIIT for strength + yoga/Pilates + brisk walking.
Prioritize sleep: 7–9 hours; cool, dark room; screens off 60 minutes before bed.
Reduce alcohol: It fragments sleep and worsens vasomotor symptoms.

A Closing Reframe

My most powerful reframe: this phase is an internal game. I’m not chasing points; I’m choosing what my body asks for while nourishing my family and myself.

If you’re seeking clarity or simply something to hold onto, I hope these words meet you kindly. You’re a seeker—seekers don’t just survive; they thrive. Wishing you health, happiness, and wisdom in this season.

If this resonated, please share it with someone who might need it.

References & Further Reading

👉 Explore AURA: Take your assessment to receive a personalized perimenopause plan that supports hormones, nervous system balance, sleep, and metabolism.

If you are a woman aged 38 to 44 - you must read this! Perimenopause WTH/F?!!