When most people think of perimenopause, they picture hot flashes, maybe the occasional mood swing, and then… menopause. But if you’re somewhere in your late 30s to late 40s and feel like your body and mind are changing in ways you can't quite explain—this post is for you.

Because the truth is, perimenopause is much more complex, nuanced, and deeply individual than we’ve been led to believe.

Myth-Busting Perimenopause

Let’s start with a few common myths:

Myth #1: Perimenopause starts at 50
Truth: It can begin as early as your late 30s or early 40s. Many women are experiencing symptoms long before they realize they’re in this hormonal transition.

Myth #2: It’s just hot flashes and night sweats
Truth: While those happen, many of the most challenging symptoms are emotional and mental—things like anxiety, irritability, overwhelm, brain fog, and even a sense of losing yourself.

Myth #3: You just have to tough it out
Truth: There is support. And the support you need doesn’t come in one-size-fits-all solutions—it comes from tuning in, slowing down, and truly listening to your body.

My Real-Life Symptoms (and Maybe Yours Too)

For me, it’s been a mix of physical, mental, and emotional shifts that I didn’t initially connect to perimenopause. Like:

• Waking up at 1 a.m. almost every night, wired and restless

• Thinning hair, especially around the hairline

• Digestive changes I couldn’t quite pin down

• A once-predictable cycle that now feels like it’s playing hide and seek

• Heightened anxiety and deep burnout—though as a solo parent much of the month, I used to blame it all on stress

These symptoms aren’t just random. They’re signals—whispers from my body inviting me to pay closer attention. And for me, that’s where Ayurveda and strength training have been lifelines.

How Ayurveda Can Support You

Ayurveda doesn’t treat perimenopause as a problem to fix—it sees it as a sacred transition, a time to honor the body’s wisdom and slow down to listen.

For example:

• Sleep disturbances at 1 a.m.? That’s often a sign of unbalanced Pitta energy—the fire element. Grounding practices like evening oil massage (abhyanga), warm herbal teas, and digital detoxes before bed can help.

• Anxiety + burnout? This points to Vata imbalance—too much air and space. I lean into daily rituals like self-oil massage, warm cooked meals, and anchoring breath practices (pranayama) to ground me.

• Hair thinning + digestive shifts? These are also linked to imbalances that Ayurveda can gently support through herbal treatments, digestive resets, and nourishing foods.

I’ve been loving the Osi Oils hair serum lately, and I never skip my oiling rituals—they help me feel strong, grounded, and more like me.

Why Strength Training Matters More Than Ever

One of the biggest game changers for me has been lifting weights four times a week. Not for aesthetics—but for strength, vitality, and bone health. Strength training helps:

• Stabilize blood sugar and mood

• Balance hormones naturally

• Build resilience and confidence as your body shifts

As estrogen levels decline, we’re more prone to muscle loss and bone thinning. Lifting weights is one of the most powerful tools we have to feel strong and supported from the inside out.

The Bigger Invitation

This season of life isn’t about pushing through. It’s about rewriting the story we’ve been told—redefining what it means to be a woman in her 40s, rising into her wise woman years.

If you’ve been feeling like something is off but can’t quite name it—take my free Perimenopause Quiz. It’s a gentle way to start tuning into your symptoms and understanding what your body might be asking for.

You don’t need to go through this alone. There is support. There is wisdom. And there is a more empowered, embodied way forward.

With love and grounding,
Andrea

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This is the work we do in Wise Woman Reset—my 12-week program that blends strength, softness, hormonal health, and seasonal wisdom for women 35+. Enrollment opens soon, but you don’t have to wait to take the next step.

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💌 Start Here:

✅ Take the free Perimenopause Quiz to learn where you are in the transition:
andreaclaassen.com/quiz

✅ Or join my newsletter for seasonal tips, podcast episodes, and healing support:
andreaclaassen.com

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