What is Happening During the Menopausal Transition?
Pre, Peri, and Post Menopause — What Every Woman Should Know
Have you noticed changes in your body that you can't quite explain?
One month your cycle is regular, the next it’s unpredictable.
Your sleep feels lighter. Your energy is more unpredictable than normal.
Mood swings out of nowhere, brain just not working, and hot flushes….
You might be asking: "What is actually happening?1"
The answer lies in understanding the menopausal transition — the natural shift your body makes through pre-menopause, peri-menopause, and post-menopause. Knowing what to expect — and finding natural perimenopause support — can help you move through this phase with greater clarity, confidence, and care.
In this blog, we’ll cover:
What is perimenopause
Common perimenopause symptoms to watch for
The full journey of pre, peri, and post-menopause
How to find holistic menopause help that truly supports your whole self
What is Perimenopause?
To answer this question we’ll first ask - What is Menopause?
Menopause is when you have had a full 12 months without a menstrual cycle.Perimenopause then, is the stage leading up to menopause. Your hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone, are fluctuating. This phase can begin in your late 30s or early 40s and can last anywhere from a few years to a decade.
The hormonal fluctuations of perimenopause can affect nearly every system in your body, which is why the symptoms can seem so varied with each person — and sometimes, overwhelming.
Common Perimenopause Symptoms
Understanding perimenopause symptoms can help you better recognise and respond to the changes happening within you.
Here are some of the most common, (but not limited to) signs:
Hot flashes and night sweats
Sleep disturbances (waking up at 1 or 3am is common)
Increased anxiety
Intense mood swings, depression
Brain fog and memory lapses
Cannot handle alcohol like you used to
Digestive concerns
Decreased libido
Vaginal and overall skin dryness
Weight gain, particularly around the abdomen
Changed appetite
Frozen shoulder or other joint pain
Regular exercise no longer helping
Low energy or fatigue
Irregular or skipped periods
Tip: Everyone’s journey is unique. Some women experience only mild symptoms, while others find daily life significantly impacted.
If you're beginning to notice these changes, you're not alone — and there are natural ways to support you through it.
The Full Menopausal Journey: Pre, Peri, and Post Menopause
The menopausal transition includes three key stages:
Pre-menopause: Regular cycles with relatively stable hormones ( a good time to prepare for the next stage)
Perimenopause: Hormones begin fluctuating, leading to symptoms.
Post-menopause: Begins 12 months after your last menstrual period, when hormone levels begin to stabilise at a new baseline, similar to how they were before puberty.
Each phase represents an important shift in your body’s rhythm — not a medical problem to fix, but a transition to be supported and honoured.
Natural Perimenopause Support: A Holistic Approach
While conventional medicine often offer hormone replacement therapy or anti-depressant medication immediately, many women are seeking holistic hormonal support — ways to work with their body instead of overriding its signals.
Dr. Anny Fodor, a practitioner of Chinese Medicine and founder of AnnyBody Wellness, specialises in providing holistic menopause support - tailored to each woman’s unique experience.
Her approach is grounded in the ancient wisdom of Chinese medicine and focuses on restoring the body’s natural balance during this pivotal life stage.
Rather than masking symptoms, Dr. Anny’s method focuses on:
Rebalancing energy (Qi) across all vital organ systems
Supporting liver, spleen, and kidney health, crucial for hormonal balance
Recommending personalised nutrition and herbs, Qigong and lifestyle practices
Supporting emotional expression with somatic embodiment processes
Related: Explore how holistic Chinese medicine supports menopause naturally.
You don't have to manage this transition alone — and you don’t have to rely on replacement hormone therapy if it hasn’t supported you so far or it doesn’t feel aligned to begin.
Track Your Symptoms with Our Free Resource
If you’re starting to notice perimenopause symptoms, tracking your body’s patterns can be incredibly empowering. To help you do that, we’ve created a Free Perimenopause Symptom & Cycle Tracker — a simple 2-page printable tool.
With this tracker, you can:
Record daily symptoms, menstrual changes, and mood shifts
Notice patterns you might have missed
Feel more in tune with your body’s signals
Download your FREE Perimenopause Symptom & Cycle Tracker here!
Small steps like tracking your symptoms can offer big insights — and set the foundation for natural, holistic healing.
Ready for Personalised Natural Support?
If you're feeling overwhelmed or unsure about what’s happening in your body, personalised guidance can make all the difference.
Dr. Anny offers free 1:1 consultation calls to explore your symptoms, health history, and wellness goals.
Together, you’ll map out a natural perimenopause support plan designed just for you.
👉 Book your Free Consultation Call here!
You deserve support that honours your body’s natural wisdom — and a guide who understands the power that comes from navigating this significant transition.
