The Hidden Overlap from postpartum to perimenopause & my mom's story of postpartum psychosis

Postpartum can feel like a single chapter, but for many of us it is the start of a longer hormonal story. I’m Christina Prevett, and I’m digging into the postpartum to perimenopause transition, especially as more families are having babies in their late 30s and early 40s. When estrogen drops after pregnancy, it can mimic menopause, which helps explain symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and genitourinary syndrome of lactation. If perimenopause begins eight to 10 years before menopause, some parents may move from postpartum hormone shifts directly into perimenopause without the “gap” we assume exists.We also pause on maternal mental health, because it deserves real gravity. I share personal context from my family’s experience with postpartum psychosis and why making light of tragedies and trials harms trust in healthcare. Postpartum anxiety, depression, insomnia, and postpartum rage can be complicated and under-recognized, and the same kinds of mood and sleep disruptions can show up again during the perimenopause transition, layered on top of parenting stress and sleep deprivation.From a practical standpoint, we walk through the big body systems that can take a hit when postpartum and perimenopause overlap: bone health and bone mineral density, joint pain, brain fog, and pelvic floor and sexual health. We talk about why perimenopause research is messy, why hormone panels can be misleading, and what to discuss with a trusted provider, including systemic hormone therapy options and local vaginal estrogen for tissue symptoms. We also cover strength training, impact, fueling, lubricant, and nervous system tools like CBT for insomnia, mindfulness, yoga, and other ways to close stress cycles.If this conversation helps you feel seen, subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review so more parents can find it. What signals are you noticing in your own postpartum recovery right now?___________________________________________________________________________Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes. Interested in our programs? Check us out here!