Why Your Gut Instincts Went Silent During Perimenopause (And How to Get Them Back) - XO Jacqui

Why Your Gut Instincts Went Silent During Perimenopause (And How to Get Them Back)


If you're experiencing perimenopause symptoms and feeling overwhelmed by conflicting advice, you're not alone. This Saturday, October 18th, marks World Menopause Day—a time to raise awareness and support women navigating this profound transition. This year's theme, "Lifestyle Medicine," couldn't be more timely. But here's what they won't tell you: sometimes the best medicine for managing perimenopause is knowing when to stop consuming information and start trusting yourself again.

The Menopause Industry Boom: More Options, More Overwhelm

Let's talk numbers. The global menopause market has exploded from $17.8 billion in 2024 to a projected $24-28 billion by 2030. That's incredible growth in just a few years. By 2025, over 1 billion women globally are anticipated to reach menopause, representing approximately 12% of the world's population.

This boom has brought us more options than ever—new supplements, apps tracking every symptom, telehealth consultations, personalized protocols, and endless expert opinions. And yes, this is largely wonderful. Women are finally being heard. Our needs are being taken seriously.

But here's the shadow side: we're drowning in information.

Every scroll brings a new "must-try" remedy. Every podcast promises the "real" solution. Every expert contradicts the last one. And somewhere in all that noise, something precious gets lost—your own inner knowing. That gut instinct that used to guide you? It's gone silent, buried under 47 open browser tabs about hormone levels and supplement stacks.

How Information Overload Blocks Your Intuition During Menopause

Perimenopause doesn't just mess with your hormones—it messes with your head. Approximately 75% of women undergoing menopause experience vasomotor symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. Add brain fog, mood swings, and sleep disruption to the mix, and suddenly you don't trust yourself to make the "right" choices about managing perimenopause.

So what do we do? We research. And research. And research some more.

We overthink every decision: Should I try HRT? What about black cohosh? Is it the supplements or the sleep or the stress? Am I doing this wrong?

But here's the truth: your body already knows what it needs. Your gut instincts haven't disappeared—they've just been shouted down by information overload.

5 Simple Ways to Manage Perimenopause Without the Overwhelm

1. Limit Your Menopause Research: Slow Down the Information Highway

Step away from the Google spiral. Unfollow the accounts that make you feel like you're falling behind. You don't need to read every study or try every protocol that worked for someone else's body.

Give yourself a digital detox day once a week. No menopause content. No symptom trackers. Just you, listening to what your body is actually telling you—not what the internet says it should be telling you.

2. Create a Morning Routine for Hormone Balance (and Keep It Sacred)

Remember what we talked about in my previous post about creating a morning routine? That applies tenfold now.

Your morning sets the tone for your entire day. Before perimenopause, maybe you could barrel through on coffee and willpower. Not anymore. Your body is demanding you pay attention.

Create a simple morning routine that's non-negotiable:

  • Five minutes of stillness before you check your phone

  • A stretching session before the day's demands take over

  • A nourishing breakfast with protein (yes, we're biased, but your body needs it)

No apps needed. No tracking required. Just consistency and presence.

3. Prioritize Sleep for Menopause Relief (No Matter What)

Sleep isn't a luxury anymore—it's your foundation. Night sweats and hot flashes affect up to 80% of women during menopause, making quality sleep feel impossible.

But here's where you keep it simple: create a sleep sanctuary and protect it fiercely. Cool room, dark space, same bedtime. Stop apologizing for needing 8 hours. Stop pushing through on 5.

Your intuition can't speak when you're exhausted.

4. Build Your Menopause Support Network: Find Your People (The Real Ones)

This is not the time to white-knuckle it alone. You need friends who are going through it or have been through it. Not internet strangers (though they have their place), but real women you can text at any time.

Share your challenges. Say the weird stuff out loud. Laugh about the absurdity of crying over a commercial about a golden retriever.

These conversations will tell you more about what's "normal" than any medical website ever could. And they'll remind you that your instincts—the ones telling you to reach out, to be vulnerable, to ask for help—are spot on.

5. Trust Your Body's Wisdom

Your body has carried you this far. It knows how to do hard things. It's gotten through every other transition in your life, and it will handle this one too.

When you're faced with another decision—supplement, treatment, lifestyle change—pause. Get quiet. Ask yourself: Does this feel right for ME? Not for the woman in the testimonial, not for your sister or your coworker. For you.

That whisper you hear? That's your gut instinct. It never left. It was just waiting for you to turn down the volume on everything else.

The Bottom Line: Trust Yourself Through Perimenopause

World Menopause Day reminds us that menopause is not a disease, but it can bring symptoms and health risks that need personalized care. The key word there is personalized—not everyone else's protocol, not the latest trend, but what actually works for your unique body and perimenopause symptoms.

The menopause industry's growth is a testament to how far we've come in recognizing women's needs. But don't let the abundance of options steal your ability to know yourself. Managing perimenopause doesn't have to be complicated.

Sometimes the most revolutionary thing you can do is close the laptop, take a deep breath, and trust that inner voice that's been guiding you all along.

It's still there. It's been waiting for you to listen.

Frequently Asked Questions About Managing Perimenopause

Q: What is World Menopause Day and when is it? A: World Menopause Day is held annually on October 18th to raise awareness about menopause and support options for improving women's health and wellbeing. The 2025 theme is "Lifestyle Medicine."

Q: What are the most common perimenopause symptoms? A: Approximately 75% of women experience vasomotor symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. Other common symptoms include brain fog, mood swings, sleep disruption, and irregular periods.

Q: How can I manage perimenopause naturally? A: Focus on lifestyle medicine approaches: prioritize consistent sleep, create a morning routine with protein-rich nutrition, build a support network, limit information overload, and trust your body's signals about what it needs.

Q: When should I see a doctor about perimenopause symptoms? A: Consult your healthcare provider if symptoms significantly impact your quality of life, if you're experiencing symptoms before age 40, or if you're unsure whether hormone therapy or other treatments might be right for you.

Q: How long does perimenopause last? A: Perimenopause typically lasts 4-8 years, though it can be shorter or longer. You're officially in menopause after 12 consecutive months without a period.

Ready to Simplify Your Perimenopause Journey?

Support your body through this transition with clean, protein-powered nutrition designed specifically for women navigating perimenopause and menopause. Our science-backed supplements help relieve hot flashes, reduce bloating, and restore hormonal balance—naturally.

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