What happened when I turned 47: My journey into late-stage perimenopause
When I turned 47, everything changed
It started with emotional shifts, tearing up unexpectedly, overreacting to small situations with my kids, and feeling completely overwhelmed. Soon, physical symptoms followed: tingling in my arms and legs, shortness of breath, a racing heart, and crushing waves of depression.
At the time, I had no idea I was entering late-stage perimenopause, a phase where estrogen levels swing dramatically.
Misdiagnosis and uncertainty
I visited multiple doctors, worried something was seriously wrong. I had blood tests, ECGs, even chest X-rays. Eventually, my hormone panel revealed high FSH levels, a marker that my estrogen was plummeting. A specialist finally gave it a name: perimenopause.
They prescribed me a menopause hormone therapy (MHT) patch. I thought that would fix it.
When relief turned into panic
The first two weeks on the patch brought some relief. But by the fourth week, I felt unhinged. My heart raced, I couldn’t sleep, and I was so wired I ended up in emergency, terrified something was seriously wrong again.
The truth? I had started MHT too early in the late-stage transition, when estrogen was still spiking and dropping erratically. During the highs, the patch overstimulated me. During the lows, it helped.
Eventually, I found something that worked much better for me during late-stage perimenopause: an estrogen gel. It allowed me to adjust the dose depending on how I was feeling, something that felt more responsive and in tune with my body.
This phase taught me something crucial: estrogen levels don’t just drop, they swing. And those swings can produce totally opposite symptoms. That’s why I created a tool called the Estrogen Rollercoaster, to help women recognise the difference between high estrogen (anxiety, insomnia, racing heart) and low estrogen (depression, fatigue, brain fog). Understanding where you are on the rollercoaster can be a game-changer in choosing the right support.
But even that gel wasn’t forever. Once I entered post-menopause, I had to adjust again. My needs changed, and so did my treatment.
What I wish I knew before starting MHT
Every woman’s experience with perimenopause is different. One-size-fits-all treatment plans often backfire. My biggest takeaway?
Know your body. Understand your hormonal rhythm. And don’t rush into treatment without information.
If you suspect you're entering perimenopause, or already deep in it, it’s important to work out which stage you’re in before starting MHT. Understanding this can help you make more informed, gentle decisions that actually support your body.
Two tools that helped me, and that I now share with others are:
My Symptom Tracker – A day-by-day tool to identify patterns and triggers.
Stages of Menopause PDF – Learn about the different phases (early, mid, late) and what your body might be telling you.
If you’re feeling lost, start here:
I’ve created several free tools and resources to help you feel seen, informed, and supported on this journey. Explore the ones that speak to you:
Common Perimenopause Symptoms
Learn what’s typical during perimenopause, and when it’s time to seek help.
Self-Assessment Survey
A quick questionnaire to help you rate your current lifestyle habits and discover where you might need extra support during perimenopause.
Symptom Tracker Tool
Track your symptoms daily and begin identifying patterns and hormonal fluctuations.
Stages of Menopause PDF
Understand the early, mid, and late phases of perimenopause and what your body may be telling you.
Lifestyle Course
A guided program to help you rebalance your mind and body, whether you're using MHT or not.
Estrogen Rollercoaster
Final Thoughts
If you're 40+, feeling like you’re losing control of your emotions, your body, or your energy, it’s time to pause and ask: Could this be hormonal?
You’re not broken. You’re not alone. And you don’t have to go through this without guidance.
Visit the Symptoms Page or join my Lifestyle Course to take your next step toward feeling like you again.