Science of perimenopause

Perimenopause is a natural transition driven by profound hormonal changes

As estrogen and progesterone begin to fluctuate, these shifts can affect and influence your wellbeing in various ways.

The role of hormones during your reproductive years

  • Estrogen

    Estrogen is an umbrella term of hormones that include estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3). Estradiol is the primary sex hormone during your reproductive years. Estradiol is produced by your ovarian follicles, and thickens the uterine lining and supports ovulation.

  • Progesterone and testosterone 

    -Progesterone is produced after ovulation. It stabilizes the uterine lining and supports implantation of the embryo during pregnancy. 

    -Testosterone is produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands. It boosts your sex drive, muscle mass, and affects your brain and bone health.

  • FSH and LH

    -Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is produced by the pituitary gland. It stimulates the ovarian follicles to mature and produce estrogen. 

    -Luteinizing hormone (LH) triggers ovulation and the formation of the corpus luteum, a temporary structure formed in the ovary after the egg is released. 

Changes in your hormones during perimenopause

  • Estrogen

    Estradiol (E2) levels fluctuate wildly at first, and eventually decline over time. This leads to irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, brain fog, poor memory recall, weight gain, joint pain, and vaginal dryness. Estrone (E1) becomes the primary hormone following menopause. 

  • Progesterone and testosterone

    Progesterone declines gradually over time. This leads to insomnia, anxiety, bloating, food cravings, and rage.

    Testosterone also declines gradually over time, leading to reduced sex drive and muscle strength. 

  • FSH and LH

    FSH and LH both slowly increase over time. FSH levels fluctuate more wildly than LH.

Treatment of perimenopause

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is considered the gold standard for treating perimenopause, and can be life-changing for women* who are appropriate candidates. But, every woman’s journey is different. Personal medical history, individual risk factors, access to care, cost, side effects, and personal preferences all play a role in determining whether HRT is the right choice. 

That’s why we created Thandie. 

Driven by empathy and backed by science, Thandie offers nutritional supplements that help support women through the hormonal transitions of perimenopause. Whether you are exploring ways to support your overall wellness, waiting to speak with your healthcare provider, or simply looking for non-hormonal options that fit your lifestyle, Thandie is here to help you care for yourself with confidence. 

Thandie supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease and are not a replacement for medical care. We encourage every woman to discuss her symptoms and treatment options with a qualified healthcare professional. 

Find the right supplement for you

References

1.Santoro N. Perimenopause: From research to practice. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2016;25(4):332-9. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2015.5556. 

2.Santoro N, Roeca C, Peters BA, et al. The Menopause Transition: Signs, Symptoms, and Management Options. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2021;106(1):1-15. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa764.

3.Prior JC, Hitchcock CL. The endocrinology of perimenopause: need for a paradigm shift. Front Biosci (Schol Ed). 2011;3(2):474-86. doi: 10.2741/s166.

4.Burger HG, Hale GE, Robertson DM, et al. A review of hormonal changes during the menopausal transition: focus on findings from the Melbourne Women's Midlife Health Project. Hum Reprod Update. 2007;13(6):559-565.

5.Delamater L, Santoro N. Management of the Perimenopause. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2018;61(3):419-432.