Episode 67 — The Perimenopause Conversation, Part 1: Wait… Is This Perimenopause?

Perimenopause can show up in ways many women never expect. It is not always just hot flashes or irregular periods. Sometimes it looks like anxiety, poor sleep, irritability, brain fog, fatigue, changes in libido, headaches, palpitations, changes in your cycle, or simply feeling like you are not quite yourself anymore. In this first episode of a three-part perimenopause series, Angela Weiss, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, breaks down what perimenopause actually is, why symptoms can begin years before menopause, and why a single hormone level does not always tell the whole story. We also talk about the importance of looking at the whole person instead of assuming every symptom is hormonal—or dismissing hormones completely. You’ll hear about: The difference between perimenopause and menopause Common physical and emotional symptoms Why periods can still be regular during perimenopause Sleep changes, anxiety, irritability, and brain fog Why hormones and mental health are connected Why other medical causes still need to be considered How to start tracking patterns and preparing for a conversation with your healthcare provider Why this season can also become a time of clarity, growth, and becoming This episode is educational and informational only and is not intended to provide individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always discuss your personal symptoms, medications, medical history, and treatment options with your own qualified healthcare professional. Episode 69 — Part 2: When Hormones Affect Your Mental Health We’ll talk about anxiety, depression, panic, irritability, ADHD, OCD, PMDD, sleep, emotional regulation, and why some women feel like their brain suddenly works differently in midlife. Then in Episode 70 — Part 3: Okay… What Can We Actually Do About It?, we’ll talk about treatment options, hormone therapy, nonhormonal approaches, sleep, lifestyle changes, sexual and vaginal health, and how to have a better conversation with your provider. Follow Life by Design so you don’t miss the rest of the series, and please share this episode with another woman who may be wondering, “Why don’t I feel like myself?” Facebook: Life by Design Press Instagram: @AngelaWeissAuthor Visit the author website: https://authors.tertulia.com/angelaweiss-drafther4xo Find Angela’s books on Amazon, including Life by Design: Building a Beautiful Life Through Intention and The Gentle Reset. Keywords perimenopause, menopause, women’s health, midlife women, hormones, hormonal changes, perimenopause symptoms, hot flashes, night sweats, brain fog, anxiety, irritability, sleep problems, insomnia, mood changes, mental health, estrogen, progesterone, menstrual cycle changes, libido, vaginal dryness, fatigue, palpitations, women over 40, women over 50, FNP, PMHNP, Life by Design, Angela Weiss