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.

My mission? To help more women solve the riddle of perimenopausal weight loss and find hormonal peace. But as long as these myths persist, my mission feels even harder.

So here we go — the 3 things perimenopausal women get told that I’m absolutely sick of:

1. “You just need to eat less and exercise more.”

This one makes me want to punch someone. It’s so shaming and dismissive. Here’s the truth: In perimenopause, the old weight-loss tricks don’t work — and pushing harder often backfires.

The internet is full of this nonsense, and unfortunately, personal trainers, doctors, and even well-meaning friends sometimes repeat it. Chances are, you’ve tried every diet and exercise plan out there, only to still struggle with fatigue, stubborn weight, and symptoms.

Why? Because starving yourself and doing excessive cardio raises your stress hormone, cortisol — which increases belly fat, reduces insulin sensitivity, and worsens your hormonal imbalance by lowering progesterone, the calming hormone that’s already dropping during perimenopause.

So why does this harmful advice persist? Probably because many professionals lack experience with perimenopause. You do NOT deserve to be shamed with this. If you’ve heard it, I’m sorry.

2. “It’s not perimenopause — you’re just depressed or anxious. Take an SSRI or other medication.”

Ugh. As if women’s emotions are just something to be suppressed with drugs.

I’m the first to support medication when it’s needed to ease suffering — but here, it often misses the point. Many women tell me they weren’t depressed or anxious before they started their meds; they were just fighting to get their symptoms taken seriously. And sometimes being “difficult” earns a prescription they didn’t want or need.

Your first and most powerful tools should be diet and lifestyle changes — the long-term solutions that really work. Medication can help, but it’s rarely the whole answer.

If you’ve been offered antidepressants and you’re unsure or uncomfortable, know there are alternatives. The Sparkle Method is one approach that focuses on addressing the root causes of your symptoms.

3. “You’re not in perimenopause because your hormones look fine on blood tests.”

This one cracks me up — and frustrates me! I often hear this from clients whose GPs dismiss their symptoms based on blood work.

Hormones in early perimenopause fluctuate wildly day to day, so a single blood test rarely gives the full picture. Progesterone slowly declines, estrogen bounces all over the place, and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) varies — especially if the test isn’t done at the right time of the cycle.

Most doctors don’t test on specific cycle days, so test results can be misleading.

What’s a better indicator? How you feel. Your symptoms, your age, your menstrual cycle changes, your mood, your stress resilience — these tell the real story. If you have a cluster of perimenopause symptoms, trust that. It quacks like a duck, so it’s probably a duck!

Don’t let blood tests overshadow your experience.

What Now?

Don’t let myths hold you back from finding hormonal balance and reclaiming your life. If you relate to any of these myths or want personalized support to ease perimenopausal symptoms and achieve sustainable weight loss, let’s connect.

Click here to book your free discovery call and take the first step toward your smooth, sparkling perimenopause journey.

May your day be filled with laughter!
xx Sarah

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