If you’re a mother, you know that stress is part of the job! I don’t think there is a day that goes by that something doesn’t make my heart skip a beat, or blood pressure (momentarily at least) jump up a notch, and my kids are all teens or adults now. I wish I had better news, but mothering is the best and most stressful and most rewarding job all at once.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock you’ll be feeling the effects of life in general recently. It is insidious. It comes in from every angle. And it is very seriously the BIGGEST issue I am seeing in the clinic right now. This is because it affects so many things; from mental health to physical wellness- without addressing the stress and our resilience to it we are just sticking bandaids on your problems.

Right now you are probably internally screaming ‘But I can’t get out of the stress. I can’t leave my job/earn more money/escape my situation etc etc’. Often that’s true, which adds to the fight and flight experience and sheer panic. Cue a host of red flag symptoms that we often ignore or stick a bandaid on. If we can’t run from our lives then stress resilience is key! More about that later.

When you hear the word “fertility,” what pops into your head? Usually, it’s a woman’s body, her hormones, her cycle, her eggs. And honestly, that makes sense — because women’s fertility has been studied, talked about, and medically managed for decades. But here’s a truth that’s only recently getting the spotlight: men play an equal, 50% role in fertility.

Sex — wanting sex, enjoying sex, missing sex, not wanting sex, struggling to orgasm, or even being overly orgasmic… perimenopause can bring some surprising changes to our sexual appetite!

I’ve never been one to shy away from tough topics, so here we go! Hang onto your vibrator!

This is right up there as one of the biggest issues for my perimenopausal clients — also often the last thing they mention, and one of the least spoken about. I’ve heard the odd woman say their libido skyrocketed — and that’s awesome! But by far, the majority struggle with libido.

Some women aren’t bothered by a lack of lust at all — but even if this is you, keep reading. Much of what I’m sharing also relates to vaginal and vulval health, which can suffer during peri and menopause. Even if you’re not bothered about “using it,” you still want to keep it comfortable and healthy, right?

Why don’t we talk about this more? Why is it still so secretive?
It’s such a hush-hush topic that myths and misinformation are rife. For instance, did you know some women actually experience an increase in libido during perimenopause? Or that a dry vagina doesn’t mean the end of sex? Or that sex can actually improve your mood? And perhaps most importantly—you don’t need a partner to reap the benefits.

Ever wondered why perimenopause is such a shit show for some of us? Take a rollercoaster ride with me through the perils of oestrogen fluctuations in perimenopause! 

I know, I know… you’re probably rolling their eyes because I say this all the time — but I’ll say it again: sleep is crucial. For your health. For your hormones. For your waistline. In perimenopause and menopause, getting good quality sleep becomes even more important.

You might be screaming, “BUT HOW?!” Don’t worry — I’ve got you. Here’s why sleep is one of the most powerful (and free!) tools for navigating hormonal changes and managing weight in this phase of life:

You’ve probably heard about a special program that has huge benefits for perimenopausal women like you lose weight, balance hormones, and reclaim their energy. That program is Metabolic Magic — a personalised, 1 on 1 coaching experience based on the proven Metabolic Balance system.

Maybe you’ve glanced at it, thought about it, but aren’t quite sure if it’s right for you yet. I get it. It’s a big step to invest your time and money into a program — especially if you’ve never worked with a nutritionist or naturopath before. And with so many diets and health programs out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and confused.

That’s why I want to give you everything you need to know about Metabolic Magic — so you can decide with confidence if this is the right path for you.

Let’s be honest—as women, we’ve had body image pressure coming at us since childhood. From magazine covers to schoolyard teasing, well-meaning relatives to toxic cultural messages, weight has been framed as a key measure of our worth.

So it’s no surprise that by the time we hit our 40s and suddenly find our jeans a bit snug, we panic.

Here I take a deep dive into perimenopause and stress, covering the struggles, and useful tips to help you through your perimenopause journey.

What was Mother Nature thinking?

Why oh why would she put perimenopausal mothers and pubescent kids in the same house? It’s like handing out sparkler sticks and gasoline at a family BBQ—and then walking away.

Yet, here we are. Hormonal mums. Hormonal teens. One house. Zero peace.

How many perimenopausal women have thought they were going mad?
They can’t remember words — or where they put anything. They rage one minute and dissolve into tears the next. They can’t sleep, and feel like coffee is life… or wine… or both, because they’re hanging by a thread between the two. Even holding it together at work feels hard. Everything they used to manage with ease now feels heavy.

It’s no wonder women going through perimenopause used to be labelled “hysterical” and carted off to asylums. Women haven’t exactly been treated well throughout history! And while we know so much more now, not all that much has changed. There’s still stigma, dismissal, and a worrying over-reliance on antidepressants and sleeping pills when women seek help for what is, in many cases, a hormonal transition.

But with some understanding — and a good dose of self-care — this phase of life doesn’t have to feel so hard.

Here are 3 ways your mental health is affected by your hormones in perimenopause:

As if hormonal changes weren’t enough, perimenopause hits at exactly the time life gets wild. We’re juggling kids (toddlers or teens), aging parents, demanding jobs, and about 87 other responsibilities — all while our hormones are shifting gear with zero warning.

Add to that rising mortgage rates, the relentless news cycle, and the general chaos of the modern world... and it’s no wonder your hormones feel totally out of whack.

But here’s the good news: when you understand what stress is doing to your hormones, you can take steps to balance things again.

Did you know that perimenopause has stages? And they are VERY, VERY different? I’m going to run you through it all so you can see how it flows… or not :)

As a naturopath and nutritionist, I hear so many things women are told — or how they’re treated — during perimenopause that honestly make me want to scream. So today, I’m sharing the 3 myths that get me the most fired up.

I want you to have the right information so you can get the help you need and deserve during this time. Because when myths go unchallenged, women miss out on the support that could change everything.

If you have ever thought you were crazy, wondered if your weird annoying symptoms were you or peri or even if you thought you were the problem then come with me for a quick trip through the craziness of perimenopause!

Confused? Yep, it’s a confusing time. And it doesn’t help that until recently, hardly anyone talked about it openly. I want to demystify the difference between perimenopause and menopause, because it shouldn’t feel scary—and you deserve to know where you’re at in life…

Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a mood disorder that can occur after childbirth. It’s characterized by persistent sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, and a loss of interest in activities. Unlike the “baby blues,” which are milder and typically pass within a few days, PPD can linger and deeply affect a mother’s ability to care for herself and her baby.

One of the most common hormonal conditions that affects women today is Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome and yet it is also the most misunderstood. Around 1 in 10 women of reproductive age have PCOS. One of the most distressing consequences of PCOS is its impact on fertility.

If you’ve been trying to conceive and have PCOS, you’re not alone—and there is hope. Understanding the ways PCOS interferes with your fertility is the first step to reclaiming your reproductive health.