For centuries, women have walked through perimenopause silently, often unprepared for the profound physical, emotional, and spiritual shifts that come with it. Our grandmothers endured it without words, our mothers with little guidance, and today, many of us still find ourselves confused and isolated.
But understanding perimenopause is more than knowing about hot flashes or mood swings—it's about reclaiming power, breaking taboos, and transforming this phase into one of self-awareness, strength, and growth.
Why Understanding Perimenopause Matters
Perimenopause is a natural, biological transition that begins several years before menopause. It's marked by fluctuating hormones—particularly estrogen and progesterone—that can trigger a wide range of symptoms, from irregular periods to anxiety, insomnia, brain fog, or heart palpitations.
Yet, the silence around perimenopause has left many women blindsided. We hear whispers about hot flashes but rarely about the deep emotional shifts, the sleep disturbances, or the sudden feelings of being "not quite ourselves."
Understanding perimenopause means naming these changes, learning what is happening within our bodies, and realizing we are not broken or alone. It means questioning outdated narratives and seeking knowledge that empowers us.
🌿 Ancient Cultures Revered Menopause as Power
What’s most painful is that the silence surrounding perimenopause is a modern phenomenon. In many ancient cultures, this phase of life was seen as sacred and powerful—a transition into deep wisdom and spiritual strength.
In Indigenous cultures, post-menopausal women were revered as wisdom keepers and spiritual guides, believed to hold their "wise blood" within. Their cessation of menstruation marked a time of deeper connection to intuition and spirit.
In Sumerian mythology the goddess Inanna descended into the underworld - stripped of her power, layer by layer, only to rise again stronger & stronger.
In Celtic traditions, the Crone archetype represented the culmination of feminine power—a woman who held profound insight, spiritual authority, and strength.
Ancient Greek society honored older women as priestesses, oracles, and healers, revered for their deeper connection to universal wisdom.
In Egyptian culture, older women often became midwives, healers, and spiritual leaders, seen as the heart of ancestral knowledge and ritual.
And in Indigenous Australian traditions, elder women were considered the custodians of land, culture, and sacred wisdom, holding roles of deep respect and authority.
Across these cultures, menopause was not a decline, but a passage into greater power. These women were honoured, sought for guidance, and trusted for their spiritual insight.
✨ How Did We Lose This Reverence?
Historically, women's health has been under-researched and undervalued. Women's bodies were often deemed "too complicated," and the experiences of older women, in particular, were dismissed or ignored. Add to this the cultural shame around aging and femininity, and it's no surprise that many of our elders were taught to stay silent. Their wisdom, once an integral part of community life, was rarely passed down.
As the modern world grew increasingly obsessed with youth, productivity, and beauty, aging became something to resist, and menopause became something to fear. Stories faded. Generational wisdom was lost. And too many women today still walk this path feeling isolated, confused, and ashamed.
But it’s time to change that. It’s time to break the cycle of silence and reclaim the ancient reverence for this phase of life. Because perimenopause isn’t a decline—it’s a transformation. A shedding. A deepening into wisdom, strength, and intuition.
It’s a journey that deserves to be honoured, shared, and understood.
Perimenopause is Not Decline—It’s Transformation
There is an outdated belief that perimenopause marks a woman’s decline, but this could not be further from the truth. This is a phase of transformation, an invitation to let go of what no longer serves and to reclaim power in a new form.
Yes, it can be challenging. Yes, it can shake us. But understanding perimenopause means recognizing it as a natural rite of passage—a shift into deeper wisdom, strength, and authenticity.
What Happens During Perimenopause?
Perimenopause can bring a range of symptoms that vary for each woman, up to 150 documented symptoms. These can include:
Irregular periods
Sleep disturbances
Mood swings or anxiety
Weight fluctuations
Hot flashes or night sweats
Changes in libido
Heart palpitations or physical unease
But here’s the truth: every woman’s experience is unique. Some breeze through with minimal symptoms, others feel their whole world shift. Both are valid. Both deserve acknowledgment.
Empowerment Through Information
There is immense power in being informed. When we know what's happening, we can make empowered choices—whether that’s exploring hormone therapy, holistic practices, or simple lifestyle shifts like nutrition, strength training, or meditation.
We can also lean into community, sharing stories and gathering wisdom from one another. Because understanding removes fear, and empowerment dissolves shame.
Why I Speak Up
This is why I do what I do. To break the silence. To ensure women don’t walk this path feeling confused or alone. To share what I’ve learned, from scientific insights to lived experience. Because when we stand in knowledge, we stand in power.
Perimenopause isn’t something we "get through." It's something we rise through. It's a process of shedding, of coming home to ourselves. Of stepping into a deeper, wiser form of strength.
Final Thoughts
Perimenopause is not an ending—it’s a beginning. A time to reconnect with your body, understand your rhythms, and lean into what truly nourishes you.
And you don’t have to do it alone.
This is exactly why I host retreats that honour this transition—spaces for women to reconnect with their bodies, nourish their minds, and move with intention. Whether it’s finding calm in the Pause Yin Yoga Retreat (5–11 July 2025, Portugal), building strength in The Empowerment Retreats (13–19 September in Spain or 15–21 November in Portugal), or walking through nature and reflection in The Path Hiking Retreat (17–23 January 2026, Spain)—these are safe, empowering spaces where transformation is honoured and shared.
If you're on this journey, know that understanding perimenopause is the first step to reclaiming your power. The next? Surrounding yourself with women who walk it alongside you.
Let’s keep the conversation open. Let’s share the wisdom that should have been passed down. Let’s break the silence—together.
with love,
Shaini
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