Perimenopause is the transitional period before menopause — when the ovaries begin to produce less oestrogen and progesterone, and the hormonal patterns of the reproductive years start to shift. It can begin anywhere from the mid-thirties to the late forties, and for many women it lasts several years. The symptoms are wide-ranging and often surprising to women who didn’t expect them to start so early or be so significant.
What Perimenopause Actually Involves
The symptoms of perimenopause go far beyond hot flushes. Sleep disruption is extremely common — often beginning years before periods become irregular. Mood changes, including anxiety, low mood, and a reduced sense of resilience, frequently accompany the hormonal fluctuations. Brain fog, memory lapses, joint pain, changes in libido, and increased sensitivity to stress are all part of the perimenopausal picture.
Hormonal fluctuations in perimenopause are not a steady decline — they’re erratic. Oestrogen can spike to high levels as well as drop, and this unpredictability is part of why symptoms can be confusing and variable. The adrenal glands also become more important as ovarian function declines, which means that adrenal health and stress management become central to how well the transition goes.
How Reflexology Supports Perimenopause
Reflexology is particularly well suited to perimenopause because it works with the endocrine system as a whole, not just the ovaries in isolation. Working the pituitary, hypothalamus, adrenal, thyroid, and ovary reflex points supports the entire hormonal regulatory system during a period when coordination between these glands is under strain.
Many of my clients find regular reflexology makes a significant difference to hot flush frequency, sleep quality, mood stability, and overall resilience during this period. Read more on the reflexology page.
The Stress-Perimenopause Connection
One of the most important things to understand about perimenopause is that stress makes everything worse. Cortisol competes with progesterone for the same receptor sites, and when cortisol is chronically elevated, it further suppresses the already-declining progesterone levels of perimenopause. Women who are under significant stress often have more severe perimenopausal symptoms.
This is why the nervous system regulation that Reiki and craniosacral therapy provide can be so valuable during this period — they’re directly addressing one of the primary amplifiers of perimenopausal symptoms. More on this is on the digestive and hormonal health page.
What This Looks Like With Me
I’m based in Wilby, near Wellingborough, and I see many women navigating perimenopause from across Northamptonshire. I take a whole-system approach — looking at the hormonal picture, the stress load, the sleep, and the emotional experience together — because the most helpful approach addresses all of these dimensions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is reflexology a replacement for HRT? No — it’s a complement. Some women use reflexology as an alternative when HRT isn’t appropriate for them; others use it alongside HRT to support the overall transition. Either approach is valid.
When should I start? As soon as symptoms are affecting your quality of life. Earlier support tends to make the transition easier — don’t wait until you’re struggling significantly. Get in touch to discuss where you are.
How often should I come during perimenopause? Monthly is the minimum I’d suggest for symptom management. During periods of significant symptoms, fortnightly sessions often work better.
Read more about how I approach hormonal health on the hormonal health page, or explore the full range of therapies available.