What Actually Happens to Your Body During Perimenopause and Menopause?
If you’re feeling like your body is changing in ways you don’t understand—like it’s suddenly working against you instead of with you—you’re not alone. Perimenopause and menopause bring a rollercoaster of symptoms driven by the natural decline of three key hormones: estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. These hormones influence everything from mood and metabolism to sleep, skin, and sex drive. When they fluctuate or drop, it can feel overwhelming, confusing, and even isolating.
At Maliya Wellness Centre, we believe you deserve to feel at home in your body at every stage of life. That’s why our Nurse Practitioner, Tracey McGowan, blends together 20+ years of knowledge and expertise to take a compassionate, personalized approach to hormone therapy, helping you understand what’s happening beneath the surface and how to restore balance in a way that feels right for you. Whether you're struggling with fatigue, brain fog, mood swings, or other symptoms, you don’t have to just "push through it," or “accept that’s just what it is.” Let’s break down what’s really going on—and how Tracey, at Maliya, can help you reclaim your vitality.
Estrogen: The Queen Bee of Hormones
Estrogen is the powerhouse hormone that keeps everything from your brain to your bones functioning at their best. It regulates your cycle, supports cognitive function, maintains skin elasticity, and even protects against inflammation. But as estrogen levels fluctuate and decline during perimenopause and menopause, the symptoms can be extremely impactful.
Signs of Low Estrogen:
Hot flashes & night sweats – Your body's internal thermostat struggles to regulate.
Vaginal dryness & painful sex – Estrogen keeps tissues hydrated and elastic.
Brain fog & memory lapses – It plays a key role in cognitive sharpness.
Anxiety & mood swings – Estrogen helps regulate serotonin and other neurotransmitters.
Joint pain & stiffness – Less estrogen means less protection for your joints.
Dry skin & thinning hair – Collagen production takes a hit, affecting your skin and hair.
Why Supplement It?
Restoring optimal estrogen levels through hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and/ or bioidentical hormone therapy (BHRT) can alleviate these symptoms and prevent subsequent decline.
Progesterone: The Chill Pill You’re Missing
Progesterone is your body’s natural calming hormone. It works alongside estrogen to balance moods, promote sleep, and regulate cycles. But as menopause approaches, progesterone is one of the first hormones to drop—leaving many women feeling anxious, restless, and emotionally unbalanced.
Signs of Low Progesterone:
Insomnia & trouble staying asleep – Progesterone promotes relaxation.
Irritability & anxiety – Less progesterone can make emotions feel more intense.
Irregular, heavy periods – A deficiency can cause erratic cycles and increased PMS symptoms.
Water retention & bloating – It plays a role in fluid regulation.
Why Supplement It?
Bioidentical progesterone can improve sleep, reduce anxiety, regulate cycles, and counteract estrogen dominance, which can lead to heavier periods, fibroids, and breast tenderness.
Testosterone: Not Just for Men
Many women don’t realize how essential testosterone is for energy, libido, and muscle strength—until they start losing it. While testosterone gradually declines from your 30s onward, it drops significantly during menopause, impacting overall vitality.
Signs of Low Testosterone:
Fatigue & lack of motivation – Testosterone fuels energy and drive.
Low libido & weak orgasms – It plays a major role in sexual function.
Muscle loss & weight gain – Less testosterone leads to decreased muscle mass and a slower metabolism.
Brain fog & lack of focus – This hormone sharpens mental clarity.
Why Supplement It?
Restoring testosterone levels can boost energy, improve muscle tone, enhance libido, and support overall cognitive function.
How Do You Know If Your Hormones Are Out of Balance?
If you’re dealing with mood swings, unexplained weight gain, chronic fatigue, brain fog, or feeling like a version of yourself you barely recognize—your hormones might very well be at play. The good news? You don’t have to accept it as your new normal.
At Maliya Wellness Centre, Tracey specializes in helping women rebalance their hormones through both hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), depending on which is more suitable for you, as well as other supportive treatments tailored to your unique needs. She takes a personalized and compassionate approach, ensuring you get the individualized care and expertise needed to feel your best.
You Deserve to Feel Good Again
Perimenopause and menopause are profound transitions, not just struggles to endure. With the right support, you can reclaim balance, vitality, and a sense of you again. You deserve to feel strong, vibrant, and at home in your body. Click here to learn more about Tracey’s compassionate, personalized approach and take the first step toward feeling like yourself again.