What’s Going On With My Hormones? A Simple Guide to Menopause and Mood Swings (And Hot Flashes… and Sleepless Nights…) If you’ve ever found yourself tearing up at a car commercial or lying awake at 2 a.m. wondering if you’re losing your mind (spoiler: you’re not), you might be riding the hormonal rollercoaster of menopause. Let’s break it down. The Two Main Players: Estrogen and Progesterone These two hormones have been your backstage crew for decades, quietly supporting your bones, brain, mood, and metabolism. But during perimenopause and menopause, they start packing up their things and heading for the exit. And when they leave? Well, things can get… weird. Estrogen: The Multi-Tasking Marvel Estrogen doesn’t just manage your period — it’s also a champion for your bones, heart, skin, and brain. When levels start to drop: • You might feel more aches and joint pain. • Your skin might feel drier or less elastic. • Your mood might swing faster than a pendulum in a wind tunnel. Hot flashes, memory fuzziness, and that frustrating sense of “where did I put my keys again?” — estrogen has a hand in all of it. Progesterone: The Chill Pill Progesterone helps you sleep soundly, stay calm, and feel emotionally grounded. As it declines: • Sleep might become more restless or broken. • You might feel more emotionally reactive (cue crying over burnt toast). • Breast tissue can change, and stress feels harder to manage. So, when both estrogen and progesterone decline? It’s no wonder so many women feel like they’re in a fog or out of sync with their own bodies. Why This Matters The symptoms aren’t “just in your head.” They’re biological, chemical, and very real. And understanding the why behind your hot flashes or anxiety spikes gives you a bit more power in how you respond. You don’t have to white-knuckle your way through menopause. When you know what’s happening with your hormones, you can start to make smarter choices — whether that’s tweaking your training, focusing on nutrition that supports hormonal health, or having an informed chat with your GP or health coach. Here’s the Good News: By tracking patterns and tuning in (rather than tuning out), you can manage the physical and emotional side effects of menopause with more clarity — and a lot more confidence. ⸻ Want to go deeper? Let’s chat about how training, nutrition, and recovery can be tailored to support you through every phase of this transition. Menopause isn’t the end — it’s a pivot point. And you don’t have to do it alone. Read More