Perimenopause and menopause aren’t just about hot flashes and irregular periods. For many women, the most frustrating symptom isn’t even physical; it’s mental. Words escape you mid-sentence, concentration slips away, and your once-sharp memory feels sluggish. These are all examples of what perimenopause brain fog feels like. They’re among the most common (yet least discussed) cognitive changes to occur1 during …
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health challenges globally, especially among women, young adults, and teenagers. Nearly 1 in 3 adults in the U.S.1 will experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives, which can range from generalized anxiety to panic attacks, social anxiety, and other types. What’s so alarming is that these numbers have been …
We often think of menopause as a hormone story, and it certainly is. But there’s another side of the equation that gets far less attention: your mitochondria, and more specifically, how they change as you enter perimenopause and get older. Mitochondria, which are tiny “energy factories” inside your cells, are intricately connected to hormone production, brain function, metabolic health, and …
Heavy periods in perimenopause are one of the most common (and frustrating) symptoms women face in their 40s and 50s. If you’ve noticed heavier bleeding, large clots, or sudden flooding during your period, you’re not alone. Perimenopause is a time of major hormonal shifts, and for many women, one of the most noticeable (and disruptive) changes is to their periods1, …
Hormonal changes during midlife, including perimenopause and menopause, usually cause more than just hot flashes and irregular cycles. For many women, this time can trigger what feels like a perimenopause anxiety disorder—sudden waves of worry, restless nights, and emotional unease. At least 40% to 50% of perimenopausal women1 report dealing with mental health challenges, such as mood swings and insomnia, …
If you’re a woman navigating both menopause and an autoimmune disease at the same time, you might have noticed your symptoms shifting in ways your doctor didn’t fully prepare you for. For example, unpredictable flare-ups, stubborn signs of inflammation, and hormonal chaos can all occur during this transitional phase and can feel like a storm no one warned you about. …
If you’ve been feeling stressed and notice your face looks rounder, puffier, or more swollen than usual, you might be dealing with cortisol face. This stress-related facial puffiness happens when cortisol—the body’s main stress hormone—stays elevated for too long. Even low-grade, everyday stress from busy schedules, poor sleep, or overexercising can change how your body stores fat and retains water, …
If you live with ADHD, chances are you’ve also experienced anxiety. In fact, it’s estimated that more than half of adults with ADHD1 also struggle with anxiety symptoms. The connection between ADHD and anxiety is so strong that it can be hard to tell where one ends and the other begins. Whether you’re dealing with a racing mind while experiencing …
Progesterone intolerance is a nervous system sensitivity to natural or supplemental progesterone. It causes mood changes, insomnia, and anxiety, especially in neurodivergent women and those with PMDD. Sensitivity, not high levels, is the issue. Solutions include cycle tracking, supporting detox, and using non-hormonal calming tools—all of which you’ll learn about in this article. If you’ve ever felt like your body …