What Really Happens During Menopause

Let’s be honest, menopause can feel like your body has suddenly switched operating systems and forgot to tell you the update was coming. One minute you’re fine, the next you’re sweating through your sheets or forgetting what you walked into the room for.

The truth is, you’re not going crazy, your body isn’t broken and you're not a nutcase. It’s just doing what women’s bodies have done forever, resetting.

What Menopause Actually Is

Menopause isn’t one day when your period stops. It’s a whole phase that happens over time. It usually starts with perimenopause, which can begin in your late 30s or 40s. That’s when your ovaries start producing less estrogen and progesterone (the hormones that run your monthly cycle). Some months your hormones spike, other months they dip. That’s why one week you might feel like yourself and the next, everything feels off.

The Classic Symptoms

No two women go through menopause the same way but here are some of the most common things that can show up:

• Hot flushes & night sweats: Those sudden waves of heat that make you want to stick your head in the freezer

• Sleep struggles: Hormones affect your body temperature and mood which can mess with your sleep

• Mood swings & brain fog: Estrogen plays a role in brain chemistry so shifts can make you feel more anxious or distracted (or like you want to rip someone's head off)

• Irregular periods: They might come closer together, get lighter or heavier or disappear for a while

• Vaginal dryness & low libido: Totally normal and nothing to be embarrassed about

• Body changes: Your metabolism slows, and fat tends to move to the belly area (thanks again hormones)

  
  

It can be frustrating but remember these changes are your body finding a new balance and adapting to it's new norm.

The Upside Nobody Talks About

Here’s something we don’t hear enough, menopause can actually be quite liberating. No more worrying about periods or birth control. Many women describe feeling calmer and more sure of themselves afterward. This stage isn’t an ending, it is a time to transition into a new version of you. One that’s wiser, more grounded and (believe it or not) more confident

How to Make It Easier

You can’t stop menopause, but you can make it run a whole lot smoother:

• Move regularly: Even a walk or a bit of strength training can help with mood, sleep, and bone health

• Eat for balance: Focus on protein, healthy fats, veggies, and calcium-rich foods

• Sleep when you can: Your body’s working overtime and needs rest

• Talk to your doctor: Ask about hormone therapy, non-hormonal options or supplements available. This isn't cheating.

• Find your people: You don’t have to go through this alone. Talking to others who get it can make all the difference

  
  

A Little Reminder

If you feel like you’re not yourself right now, that’s completely okay. Menopause can shake things up physically and emotionally. Give yourself a bit of credit. You’re not losing control, your body is just going through the motions. This change is a completely natural part of womanhood and there’s power in understanding it. You’ve handled every other phase of life, you’ll handle this one too.