Introducing Becks…
Hi, I’m Becks. I support women in the Valerie community through the wild ride of perimenopause. Valerie is an unflinchingly real women’s wellness brand bringing perimenopause kicking and screaming out into the open. They’re on a mission to put the power back into women’s hands, giving you the tools and knowledge you need to regain control and live life on your terms.
As a lead nurse specialising in women’s health, I focus on what you can do to manage this important life phase based on my experience of working with thousands of women in GP clinics and training in other modalities such as nutrition, yoga and CBT, to name a few.
I like to keep things straightforward and honest. I know you all have enough on your plate as it is, so I’m here to deliver some important peri info you need to know about. Minus the medical jargon.
Perimenopause: what’s going on?
Simply put, perimenopause is the stage leading up to menopause, when your hormone levels start to change. At this time, oestrogen and progesterone (1) become less predictable than they were before.
This change can cause a wild ride of physical and emotional symptoms, with this rollercoaster usually continuing for several years until the next stage. Often women start experiencing changes in their late 30s to early 40s without realising, and it’s in their mid-40s when they start coming to see me in clinic.
When does menopause begin?
Menopause, as opposed to perimenopause, is officially defined by the 12-month point after your periods stop altogether. After this point, you're postmenopausal.
48 ways perimenopause might be messing with you
This is the confusing part, but worth paying attention to. Often people associate irregular periods and hot flushes as the main symptoms, yet there is a vast array of other symptoms (48 of them) that can count for just as much.
Some of the most common ones include disrupted sleep, low mood, anxiety, brain fog, joint pain and low energy (2). Libido can drop.
And the severity of symptoms can vary from person to person (3). For some, symptoms are mild. For others, they can be more intense and really make a substantial impact on day-to-day life.
Ways to manage perimenopause symptoms
Movement (without overdoing it) helps support energy and mood without adding extra strain to an already stressed-out body. Strength training is especially important for perimenopause, supporting energy, brain function and bone health. Read some handy exercise tips in our dedicated article
Sleep (4) can be a nightmare in peri, so it is a good focal point for your wellbeing. Yes, it can be frustrating waking up at 3am again with your mind racing, but there are ways of managing it. Cutting back on caffeine in the afternoon, reducing alcohol, creating a regular evening routine and taking magnesium can make a big difference.
Nutritional support is also a must. That is where Valerie’s Daily Essential Vitamin & Mineral Shots come in handy. Firstly, it’s a liposomal supplement, a clever technology that makes each nutrient more bioavailable by wrapping it in what is essentially a nano-sized cell, protecting it through digestion so it can get straight into your bloodsteam. It delivers up to 5x better absorption than pills or powders.
t contains magnesium for sleep and muscle recovery, iron to help with fatigue, and B6 and B12 to support energy and focus.
You will also find vitamin D3 and zinc for immunity, bone health and hormone support, as well as ashwagandha, which can help reduce stress and support libido.
Wow, it’s a long list, I know, but trust me, there are so many important health benefits to all of these nutrients together that was developed by PhD scientists.
The takeaways…
Perimenopause can be damn confusing and unpredictable, but it does not have to be something you grit your teeth through. With the right support and changes made, you can start to feel more like yourself again.
Take care!
Becks x
Did you know?
Nurse Becks, Valerie’s perimenopause expert in residence, is active in the Wild Woman WhatsApp group because Valerie is all about cutting through the noise and giving women real support during perimenopause and that includes direct access to expert advice. Join to get your burning questions answered. See you there…
References
-
Allshouse A, Pavlovic J, Santoro N. Menstrual cycle hormone changes associated with reproductive aging and how they may relate to symptoms. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2018;45(4):613-628. doi:10.1016/j.ogc.2018.07.004 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6226272/
-
Santoro N. Perimenopause: from research to practice. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2016;25(4):332-339. doi:10.1089/jwh.2015.5556 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4834516/
-
Peacock K, Carlson K, Ketvertis KM. Menopause. Updated December 21, 2023. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing; January 2025–. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507826/
-
Troìa L, Garassino M, Volpicelli AI, et al. Sleep disturbance and perimenopause: a narrative review. J Clin Med.2025;14(5):1479. doi:10.3390/jcm14051479 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11901009/
