Balance not battle:
Understanding the Impact of Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes are one of the biggest shifts we go through during menopause. As your oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels decline, you might notice changes in your body, your mood, and even your energy. Understanding what’s happening hormonally gives you a clearer picture and a bit more confidence as you move through this transition.
Oestrogen is behind a lot more than just your menstrual cycle—it’s involved in everything from bone strength to heart health.
Bone health: Oestrogen helps maintain bone density, so when levels dip, your bones can become more fragile. This is why osteoporosis becomes more of a concern during menopause.
Heart health: Oestrogen helps keep your cholesterol levels in check and supports healthy blood vessels. Lower levels can increase your risk of heart disease.
Vaginal health: Less oestrogen can mean dryness, thinner vaginal walls, and discomfort during sex—all things that can impact quality of life but are absolutely worth addressing.
Skin and hair: Oestrogen helps your skin stay supple and your hair strong. When it drops, you might notice drier skin, thinning hair, and more noticeable lines or changes in elasticity.
Progesterone is another key hormone that steadily declines during menopause. While it mainly supports your cycle, its dip can be felt in other ways too.
Sleep: Progesterone has a natural calming effect. As it drops, it can lead to trouble falling or staying asleep.
Mood: This hormone also plays a part in mood regulation, so it’s not uncommon to feel more anxious, irritable, or even a bit low as levels decline.
Breast changes: Lower progesterone can lead to tenderness or changes in breast size and texture.
Weight shifts: You might notice weight redistributing—especially around the middle—as progesterone levels fall.
Even though it’s often thought of as a “male” hormone, testosterone plays a key role in women’s health—and its decline during menopause can show up in a few distinct ways.
Libido: Lower testosterone can mean a noticeable drop in sexual desire or satisfaction.
Muscle tone and strength: This hormone helps maintain muscle mass, so a dip can lead to muscle loss and decreased strength. Staying active becomes even more important here.
Energy: Feeling more fatigued? That could be linked to lower testosterone too.
Focus and memory: Some women notice they’re not quite as sharp mentally. Difficulty concentrating or staying focused might be part of this hormonal shift.
These changes don’t just happen overnight. For many women, hormone levels fluctuate—sometimes wildly—especially during perimenopause. That unpredictability is what makes the symptoms feel so inconsistent and, at times, frustrating.
Here are a few common signs your hormones are on the move:
Irregular periods: Things can get erratic before they stop altogether. Some months it’s early, others it’s late—or heavier, or lighter. This is normal but can catch you off guard.
Hot flushes & night sweats: These sudden waves of heat or sweating are your body’s way of dealing with the shifts in temperature regulation—and they can be intense.
Mood swings: As hormones rise and fall, so can your mood. You might feel more irritable, anxious, or just emotionally off without knowing exactly why.
Just because this shift is natural doesn’t mean it’s easy. But there are ways to support your body through it.
Healthy lifestyle choices: Eating well, moving your body regularly, and prioritising good sleep can help your system stay steady. These basics matter more than ever now.
Stress management: Practices like mindfulness, yoga, or even just carving out quiet time can help keep the emotional rollercoaster in check.
Medical options: For symptoms that really disrupt your life, there are options. Hormone therapy (now often called MHT) and other treatments can make a big difference—worth a conversation with your health provider, to see if it is right for you.
Top Tip:
Start tuning into your body’s cues. Tracking your symptoms—even just in a notebook or app—can help you notice patterns. That awareness makes it easier to adapt your routines or seek support when needed.
Menopause can feel messy, but it doesn’t have to feel like a loss. Yes, your body is changing. Yes, it can be uncomfortable. But it’s also a chance to reconnect with yourself in a whole new way.
When you understand what’s happening inside your body, you can respond with clarity, not confusion. And that makes all the difference.
This stage of life isn’t the end of anything—it’s just a new beginning. One where you get to own your experience, shift your perspective, and show up for yourself in ways that feel good and grounded.
About the Author
Sam Lluisé, BHSc Naturopath, Metabolic Balance Practitioner, and founder of Lotus Women’s Health supports women to move through hormonal transitions with clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of self.
With a focus on menopause, mental wellness, chronic pain, and supporting women post-cancer, her approach integrates modern functional testing with traditional naturopathic wisdom, offering personalised herbal and nutritional protocols that honour both science and the individual.
Sam’s philosophy is simple. Your body is always communicating, and when you learn to listen, healing becomes possible. Working alongside you to restore balance, rebuild energy, and help you feel at home in your body again, creating a foundation for long-term vitality and wellbeing.
Medical review: This article reflects current naturopathic approaches and is based on the author’s clinical experience and training.
Copyright © Samantha Lluisé of Lotus Womens Health 2026
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