You don’t have to suffer.

Five years ago, I was living in a fog.

I couldn’t sleep—at all.
I was always hot, even in the middle of winter.
My moods swung like I was 14 again, slamming doors one minute and crying the next.
Anxiety showed up in ways I’d never experienced.
The emotional roller coaster kept me in fight-or-flight—and more times than not, I ran.

No one had prepared me for this.

I remember thinking, Is this just what every woman silently puts up with?
And the hardest part? The doctors I saw didn’t seem to have answers.
I got vague reassurance, dismissive suggestions, or prescriptions that didn’t touch the root of the issue.

What I Wish I’d Known Then

Five years ago, there was a lot of silence. I didn’t hear anyone talking about perimenopause in my circles—and when I did ask, the answers were vague or brushed off. It was lonely and frustrating.

Thankfully, that’s changed.
Today, more and more women are sharing their stories. There’s a growing chorus of experts, advocates, and real-life guides offering solid, evidence-based information.

You don’t have to suffer in silence.
And you don’t have to figure this out alone.

Here are some of the things I wish I had known sooner:

1. You don’t have to suffer.

Perimenopause is hard, yes. But suffering in silence is not the only option. There are real tools and solutions—you just may have to dig a little deeper to find them.

2. Find a provider who specializes in this transition.

I’ve had the best results with integrative or functional doctors and nutritionists. Right now, I’m working with a nurse practitioner who listens and takes the time to find the root of what’s going on.

Trust your gut. If you feel something is off, keep advocating for yourself.

3. Start with comprehensive labs.

My traditional doctors never ran the right tests—especially for my thyroid. I knew something was off, but I kept hearing, “Everything looks fine.”

Eventually, I invested in Function Health for $499, and honestly? It was the best decision.
The panel was thorough, easy to access, and gave me real numbers I could track over time.

Just for comparison:
I recently had labs done through my insurance. The total cost was over $3,000, and even with my “coverage,” I still paid $400 out of pocket.
And guess what? It didn’t even include the deeper testing I actually needed.

So yes, that $499 Function price tag might feel like a splurge at first—but compared to what I paid through my insurance, it’s a solid deal.

💡 Tip: Ask what your insurance will cover ahead of time. And know this—you can request bloodwork directly from a lab in most states without a doctor’s order. Just make sure the lab or service you’re using allows self-ordering. (Function Health, QuestDirect, and others do.)

4. HRT changed things for me.

It’s not for everyone—but I wish I’d started hormone replacement therapy sooner.
For me, it made a huge difference. I finally slept.
Turns out... my body can still have a libido. Who knew?

5. Be willing to give some things up.

This one’s hard. But necessary.

Alcohol. Sugar. Gluten. Dairy.
You might not have to give up all of them—but tuning in to what’s inflaming your body is key.

For me, gluten was the tipping point. I didn’t want to believe it.
But after five months of eating it again (and seeing the change in how I felt and in my bloodwork), I’ve come to terms with the truth:
Gluten-free is the way for me.
Still hard. Still a work in progress.

6. There are simple tools that help.

Sleep doesn’t have to disappear forever.
There are small, practical changes that made a big difference for me—especially when I committed to experimenting until I found what actually worked.

Here are a few that helped:

• A cold, dark room
• Fans or cooling sheets
• A calming bedtime routine
• My favorite Rested sleep gummies from Beauty Supply (these are a staple for me!)
  

A quick word about supplements:
Don’t assume more is better. I once tried magnesium to help with sleep—only to find out later through lab work that my levels were too high.
So please: go by your bloodwork.
It’s worth knowing what your body actually needs before you add anything new.

7. Talk about it—especially with the people you're “driving crazy.”

This transition is real. And it’s confusing—for you and the people you love.

So talk about it. Explain the symptoms. Share what you're learning.
You don’t have to go through this alone.

Need help explaining it? Share a funny video:

• "It’s Perry Menopause!" by The Holderness Family
• Baroness von Sketch – "Is It Perimenopause?"
• "Merry Perimenopause" Parody

Or point them to a helpful article:

• Glamour: "No One Talks About Perimenopause—It’s Time to Change That"
• Harvard Health: "Perimenopause: Rocky Road to Menopause"

8. Follow evidence-based voices.

I learned so much from podcasts and experts who base their work on real research.
Here are a few of my favorites:

• Dr. Mary Claire Haver – OB-GYN & menopause educator
• Dr. Heather Hirsch – Menopause specialist
• Dr. Jolene Brighten – Hormone health & women's medicine
• Function Health – Comprehensive lab access
• The Pause Life (Instagram)
• The Menopause Manifesto by Dr. Jen Gunter
• The Huberman Lab Podcast – Evidence-based wellness

9. Don’t overlook your gut—it’s often the root of it all.

Your gut impacts hormone metabolism, inflammation, nutrient absorption, mental health, and even autoimmune conditions.

When I started digging deeper into why I still felt off—even after addressing hormones and sleep—my provider looked at my gut health. We found clues I never would’ve connected on my own.

This might include removing inflammatory foods (like gluten or dairy), testing for imbalances, or focusing on gut healing protocols.
If you feel like you're doing everything right and still feel awful—start here.

One More Thing…

I’m so thankful for my friends who listened to me complain.
And for the loved ones who stuck by me through the tears, the mood swings, and the search for answers.

If you're in the thick of it right now—please hear me:

There is hope.
There are tools.
There are answers.

You don’t have to suffer forever.

Start with one step. Then take the next.
On your terms. In your time.

💗
Lisa

P.S. I’d love to hear from you—what’s your favorite tip or what’s helped you the most in perimenopause?

Drop a comment below and let’s support each other through this wild and wonderful transition.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, and the content of this blog post is based on my personal experience with perimenopause. This post is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your health, hormones, supplements, or lifestyle.