Why do previously manageable stressors suddenly feel overwhelming during perimenopause?
During perimenopause, previously manageable stressors can suddenly feel overwhelming due to a combination of hormonal changes and life circumstances. Here at Alloy, we see this all the time and want you to know you’re not alone.
Here’s why this happens:
- Hormonal Fluctuations: Estrogen and progesterone levels start to fluctuate and decline, which directly affects neurotransmitters in your brain that regulate mood, stress response, and sleep. This can lower your emotional resilience and make you more sensitive to stress.
- Increased Cortisol: Perimenopause is associated with naturally higher cortisol (the “stress hormone”) levels, making you feel more on edge and less able to cope with everyday challenges.
- Poor Sleep: Night sweats, hot flashes, and insomnia are common, leading to fatigue and less emotional reserve. When you’re tired, even small stressors can feel huge.
- Life Stress: This phase of life often coincides with major responsibilities—caring for children, aging parents, work, and financial pressures. With your hormonal buffer lowered, your tolerance for these stressors drops.
- Mood Swings & Anxiety: Over half of women in perimenopause experience anxiety, and about 75% report mood swings. These emotional symptoms can make it feel like you’re losing control, but they are a normal part of the transition.
The good news is you don’t have to just “live with it.” There are effective ways to manage these symptoms, including lifestyle changes, self-care, and menopause hormone therapy (MHT). At Alloy, we offer a range of solutions to help you feel more like yourself again. You can take our quick online assessment to find the right treatment for your symptoms: Alloy Online Assessment.
For a deeper dive into why your tolerance for stress changes and how to cope, check out this insightful YouTube video chapter, “Life Stress and Lowered Tolerance,” featuring Dr. Kudzai Dombo & Dr. Sharon Malone. They discuss exactly why stress feels so much harder to manage during perimenopause and how you can take action: Watch the relevant video chapter here.
If you’re interested in learning more about our products that can help with mood swings, anxiety, and other perimenopausal symptoms, visit our Solutions page.
You’re not alone, and you don’t have to just wait it out—at Alloy, we’re here to help you feel better and regain control.
This answer was created using the following resources:
- Navigating Menopause: What Every Black Woman Should Know | Dr. Kudzai Dombo & Dr. Sharon Malone - Life Stress and Lowered Tolerance
- Perimenopause Fatigue: What it Is & How to Treat It
- Does Menopause Cause Fatigue? | Alloy
- Are Your Menopause Symptoms Worse than You Expected? What You Can Do
- Why Is Anxiety Worse During Menopause? | Causes & Treatment
- Menopause Mood Swings: How To Manage Symptoms
- Mood Swings & Menopause Crying: How to Stay in Control
- What Causes Irregular Periods in Your 40s? Periomenopause
- What is Menopause?