I was about to turn 47. I was staying in a hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona with my husband and the morning after a Christmas party with friends, I woke up and realized I had stained not only my pajamas—but also the sheets with blood. This was WAY heavier than any heavy period leak—it looked like a crime scene and something just felt different. Thinking back, my body had felt a bit “off” for a few months, but that was the moment I knew: something was happening and I needed to pay attention.
The Slow Creep of Symptoms
Turns out, I had a submucosal uterine fibroid about the size of a quarter—which I didn’t know about until it was spontaneously expelled by my body (rare, but it can happen). Once I realized that, yes, this was probably perimenopause—I began adding up the subtle symptoms that had already showed up, and began to notice new ones in waves:
- My cycle had always been heavy, but after that fibroid launched from my body, it got a little lighter
- If I drank even a half of a glass of wine, I’d wake up drenched in sweat at 2am, heart racing and not be able to fall back asleep
- Anxiety seemed a bit more present on a daily basis
- I had regular sleepless nights during my luteal phase (especially right before menstruation)
- My belly got a bit “rounder” making my jeans a bit tighter
- I started snapping at my husband for odd things
- I am usually very calm and I frequently felt more annoyed and “ragey”
- Mid-cycle spotting and breast soreness
- Achy joints and a shoulder injury that took months to heal
- Emotional highs, lows, and lots more crying (I never used to cry!)
- Crepey skin and acne
- Brain fog
- Itchy ears (maybe my most random symptom!)
At first, I did what most women do: I panicked about getting older, being “over the hill,” and also felt a bit sad over the loss of my youth. But then, I wanted to learn all of the things about this phase of life. Like all of them.
Functional Nutrition For The Win
I knew enough from my functional nutrition training to know this was hormonal. So I started digging into the science behind perimenopause. I read ALL of the books too. What I found made me feel more empowered.
- My estrogen levels were fluctuating (sometimes up and sometimes down), progesterone was on the steep decline, and even cortisol was shifting
- My liver, gut, adrenals, and brain were working overtime to keep up
- And almost no one was talking about how to support this transition through lifestyle and nutrition
I realized I didn’t want to even come close to suffering—so I needed to adapt. And I wanted to share what I learned with everyone. So, I created an online course that can be referenced again and again while you go through this transition.
What I Changed (That You Can, Too)
- I started tracking my cycle & symptoms
- I ditched the HIIT workouts and embraced weighted walks & Pilates
- I prioritized protein, added more fiber, and nourished my gut microbiome with fermented foods
- I focused on supporting my liver & used a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and the Levels app to provide insights into how to keep my blood sugar stable
- I said goodbye (mostly) to wine & booze
- And I said yes to topical bioidentical estrogen & progesterone (and progesterone capsules in my luteal phase) and of course, targeted supplements
- I didn’t just feel “better.” I felt like me again—but clearer, stronger, and more connected to my body than ever before.
The Lesson I Learned (and What I Want for You)
Perimenopause can last 10+ years, and it often starts while you’re still regularly cycling—years before your period disappears for good. If your body and brain feel different lately, you’re not crazy or broken—you’re likely in this powerful, transformational phase of life. The good news? There’s SO much you can do to feel like yourself again—naturally, safely, and effectively.
Perimenopause isn’t a problem to be fixed. It’s a transition to be navigated—and if you do it right, it can be one of the most powerful, liberating times of your life. I created Make Menopause Sexy because every woman deserves access to this information. You don’t need to accept misery, meds, or outdated ideas about what aging “should” look like. You need tools. Education. Support. And permission to trust your body again.
In my self-paced online course Make Menopause Sexy, I walk you through how to:
- Identify and address perimenopausal symptoms (even without a test)
- Support your hormones with nutrition, herbs, bioidentical hormones (if you choose) & lifestyle
- Improve sleep, mood, metabolism & more
- Feel empowered—not confused—about what’s happening to your body
If you’re ready to stop wondering and start feeling better, this course is for you.
