Your Hormone Story​

From your first breath to your last, your hormones shape each chapter of the story of your life.

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Let’s break it down:

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Hormones 101: Oestrogen and Progesterone​

 

These are two of your body's main sex hormones. They kick into gear at puberty (8 - 14 years), prepping you for reproduction. 

As you age, your egg supply dwindles with each period (ie: your menstrual cycle), and production of oestrogen and progesterone declines. That’s when perimenopause begins — and with it, symptoms that can follow you into post-menopause. 

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Birth to Puberty

 

Even in the womb, your mum’s oestrogen gave you a tiny hormonal kick - sometimes causing breast swelling or “witch’s milk” in newborns (yes, it’s a thing!).

Then came mini-puberty - a quick hormone surge to kickstart your reproductive system - and puberty, when oestrogen makes you into an adult.

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Your 20s & 30s: The Fertile Years

 

This is your body in its prime - hormones humming, fertility peaking. Those selfish genes being at their most selfish.

SEX? Go for it! Fun and carefree! ENJOY! (responsibly, of course)

BUT heads-up: your ability to reproduce starts plummeting in your late 30's. You might want to think about this. Because IVF is no fun and often results in an early perimenopause. And sometimes symptoms of perimenopause do begin even in the (late) 30's. See our Symptoms page.)

Reproductively speaking, it's a time for fun, sex, and babies. ​​

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Your 40s & 50s: Perimenopause Begins

 

​Dr Rachel Rubin recently referred to this stage of our lives as a "Castration Event". Ummmm. WINCE.

 

But she has a point: as our sex hormones decrease, we become a little bit, ummm, castrated.
 

Another much better definition, a chapter title, if you like, is the The Cougar Puberty period of our lives.

 

This is what happens:

As oestrogen and progesterone levels decrease, your periods can become unpredictable, marking the “around menopause” - ie: perimenopause - phase of your life.

One day you decide to finally empty your handbag of all those emergency tampons, and then, an hour later, there it is, that stain in your new silk white panties.

(Always happens when you're wearing the white ones, right?)

Hot flashes, brain fog, or mood swings, might also join the party—check our Symptoms Page for the full smorgasbord. 

Think of symptoms as equivalent to our oestrogen and progesterone and testosterone waving goodbye - and remember, everyone has their own style of waving, just like every woman has a unique peri and post menopause experience.

Back in the day women very often just toughed it out. But we're on the crest of a new mini medical menopausal revolution. Science and medicine are catching up with women's bodies. And we (including our Doctors/GPs/Medical Professionals) are all learning knew things about this stage of our lives.

Why it matters: for starters, low oestrogen increases your risk for osteoporosis and dementia. And is at the root of all of so many of those other symptoms. And, let's be honest, it can make you into a right moody old cow.

But knowledge is power - arm yourself with MenoLink’s resources, get to grps with what is coming and how your symptoms can be managed, and you will be fine when the M day (see below) arrives.

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M-Day = Menopause:

Just One Day in your life

 

After 12 months without a period (use apps to track your period, most are free) you are in Menopause. Every day after that is postmenopause, and the rest of your life.

It's a milestone, not a finish line. But do feel free to throw a party! Or to dig out those white linen trousers that you've been waiting to wear for the last 30 years. 

Postmenopause:
Welcome to THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!
Normally all symptoms are gone within 2 to 10 years of the beginning of the perimenopause (goodbye, night sweats?). But some symptoms will not disappear entirely. Also,  risks, like brittle bones, linger.
And that's why we’re all here to help you thrive, not just survive.

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Your MenoLink Lifeline

 

This isn’t the end - it’s a bold new beginning. With MenoLink, you’re part of a tribe of women sharing our experiences and wisdom via our MenoJourneys.

Sex fading? We’ve got libido tips and vulva-friendly solutions.

Weight creeping up? Our fitness ideas will keep you strong.

Worried about crumbling bones? We’ll show you how to stay sturdy even at 90.

Check out our Symptoms page and take it from there.
 

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Join Us

 

Your journey matters. Explore our Symptoms Page, dive into real women’s stories, and find what works for you - HRT, lifestyle tweaks, or a mix. Then share your tips with our community.

​Help Us Help You!

We are Menolink. The Which of all things Menopause.