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Most women think perimenopause happens in their late 40s. But for many women, the hormonal shift begins quietly in their mid-to-late 30s — with symptoms that are almost always dismissed as stress, anxiety, or just getting older. By the time perimenopause is recognized, most women have already been living with it for years.

In this episode of Cycle Wisdom, Dr. Monica Minjeur walks through what perimenopause actually looks like, why progesterone is almost always the first hormone to change, and why recognizing this transition early is one of the most important things a woman can do for her long-term bone, cardiovascular, and brain health. Through Andrea's story — a 37-year-old with regular cycles and no obvious symptoms who turned out to be in early perimenopause — you will see how the signals are often there long before anyone connects them to the right diagnosis.

You will learn:

• Why progesterone declines first — often years before estrogen shifts — and what that means for PMS, sleep, anxiety, and cycle changes
• Why a normal FSH does not rule out early perimenopause — and what cycle charting reveals that lab work alone cannot
• What the treatment approach looks like for each stage of the perimenopausal transition — and why bioidentical progesterone is almost always the right starting point

If you have been told your labs are normal but your cycles and symptoms tell a different story — this episode will help you understand what is actually happening and what to do about it. Learn more or schedule a free discovery call at radiantclinic.com.