Hot Flashes, Weight Gain, Mood Swings — The Surprising Signs of Perimenopause No One Told Me About
I caught my reflection in the full-length mirror and I didn't recognize the woman. I didn't want to get old!
When did my waist disappear?
When did my face start looking so... tired?
And why was I suddenly carrying 15 pounds I couldn't explain, despite eating the same way I had for years?
But it wasn't just the weight.
The hot flashes were brutal, like fire coursing through my body, leaving me drenched in drenched in sweat at the most embarrassing moments.
I'd wake up at night with sheets so soaked I had to change them twice.
The hot flashes were now joined by something much worse: I was becoming someone I didn't like.
I'd snap at my husband over dishes in the sink.
I'd feel overwhelmed by simple tasks at work that used to energize me.
I'd lie awake at night, my mind racing with anxiety about nothing and everything.
The Medical Dismissal That Almost Broke Me
My first stop was my family doctor.
I explained the weight gain, the mood swings, the brain fog.
"You're just stressed," he said, barely looking up from his computer. "Maybe try yoga. And watch your portion sizes."
When the symptoms got worse, I went to my gynecologist.
Surely she would understand.
"Have you considered antidepressants?" she suggested. "A lot of women your age struggle with mood issues."
I tried to explain that I wasn't depressed.
I was angry, frustrated, and felt like my body had been hijacked by someone else. But she'd already moved on to talking about SSRIs.
Over the next year, I spent nearly $4,000 trying to fix myself:
Nothing worked.
In fact, everything got worse.
I started avoiding social events because I never knew when a hot flash would hit.
I stopped wearing my favorite clothes because nothing fit right anymore. I felt like I was disappearing, becoming invisible.
The worst part? I was grieving my younger self.
I don't recognize myself anymore. This is not my body anymore.
But watching my identity slip away didn't feel normal to me.
My Cousin's Life-Changing Transformation
The breakthrough came at a family gathering last Christmas.
I noticed my cousin Sarah looked absolutely radiant at 52 - glowing skin, bright eyes, and an energy I hadn't seen in her for years.
During a quiet moment, I had to ask what had changed.
"I found something that actually works," she said.
"It's called bioidentical hormone therapy."
Sarah told me she'd struggled with the same symptoms for two years before discovering Winona, a company that specializes in this treatment.
Within three months, she felt like herself again.
The Hormonal Domino Effect No One Explains
What she explained next completely changed my understanding of what was happening to my body.
Here's what I wish someone had told me when my hot flashes first started: They're not separate problems. They're all connected.
Here's what happens during perimenopause:
Your body gradually stops producing enough estrogen and progesterone.
But these aren't just "female hormones" — they control your temperature, mood, weight, sleep, and even brain function.
Phase 1
Estrogen Drops
Phase 2
Progesterone Falls
Phase 3
Testosterone Declines
Phase 4
Cortisol Spikes
What shocked me most:
Research shows women's brains lose up to 30% of their energy after menopause. When estrogen declines, neurons lose efficiency, which explains the brain fog and memory issues.
[TED | How menopause affects the brain | Lisa Mosconi - Neuroscientist]
This isn't aging. This isn't something you need to accept.
This is a hormonal imbalance with a solution.
What Sarah Taught Me About the Solution
Think of bioidentical hormone therapy as giving your body back what it's missing.
What Bioidentical Hormones Actually Are
Bioidentical hormones are plant-based hormones that are molecularly identical to what your body used to make.
Unlike synthetic hormones that are chemically altered, these work exactly like your original hormones.
And Sarah had discovered Winona - the only company specializing in plant-based bioidentical hormones.
"The process couldn't be simpler," she said, pulling out her phone.
"I took an online assessment, a doctor reviewed it, and my personalized kit arrived at my door within a week."
Her only regret was not starting sooner.
I was amazed! But still a bit skeptical.
Even Oprah Couldn't Ignore the Truth About Estrogen
That’s when she showed me this video.
“If you think I'm being dramatic, just listen to what Oprah Winfrey said,” she said, opening YouTube.
Here's a woman with unlimited resources and access to the best doctors in the world, and even she didn’t know about this sooner.
The Science That Convinced Me
But I needed to understand if this was too good to be true.
The Stanford breakthrough that changed everything:
1990s: Hormone therapy was widely prescribed and popular
2002: A major study scared everyone away from hormones
2024: Stanford University conducted follow-up research
The key difference explained:
"The hormones we now use are bioidentical, meaning they are the same forms that were circulating in your body in your reproductive years. They are much less inflammatory than the chemical forms that were studied in the WHI."
Dr. Adams
Why most doctors don't know about this:
Here's what made me angry: Medical schools teach doctors about 2 hours on menopause... compared to 2 weeks on erectile dysfunction.
While men get immediate help for their hormonal changes, women are told to "tough it out" or "try antidepressants."
Winona's unique approach:
Winona is the only telehealth company specializing in plant-based bioidentical hormones.
While other companies offer synthetic alternatives or make you wait months for appointments, Winona delivers personalized, plant-derived hormone therapy to your door.
For the first time in months, I felt a spark of hope.
My Transformation: Week by Week Results
Here's exactly what happened after I started my bioidentical hormone therapy with Winona:
Week 1-2: Sleep Finally Returns
Hot flashes decreased
Week 3-4: Mental Clarity Comes Back
Week 5-8: Energy and Motivation Return
Week 8-12: Body Composition Starts Shifting
Month 3+: Complete Transformation
100,000+ Happy Patients
"HRT is the most effective treatment for menopause symptoms, tailored to you. Beyond symptom relief, HRT offers incredible health benefits, including improved bone density, reduced risk of osteoporosis, and enhanced cardiovascular health."
Feature | Winona's Bioidentical HRT | Synthetic HRT | OTC Supplements |
|---|---|---|---|
Addresses root cause | |||
Identical to body's hormones | |||
Customizable treatment | |||
Convenient telehealth | N/A | ||
Unlimited follow-ups | |||
Average wait time | 5-7 days | 2-4 weeks | Same day |
"Finally sleeping through the night again! My hot flashes have calmed down, and I wake up feeling rested instead of exhausted. It feels like I have my energy back."
Linda M.
"Getting my life back! I'm finally feeling like my old self again.I wish I had found Winona sooner."
Rosetta Young
"Absolutely life changing. As a woman of a certain age I am used to my needs not being heard. It's refreshing to be validated and treated as an intelligent person who knows their own body."
Jennifer Schoenborn
"The medication has made me feel 100% better. I wish I would've taken this step long before I did."
Cecilee Radel
Plant-derived hormones that are molecularly identical to what your body naturally produces. They restore declining estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels to eliminate menopause symptoms.
Most women see improvements in hot flashes and sleep within 2 weeks. 80% experience full relief within 3 months. Every treatment plan is personalized based on your specific symptoms and medical history.
Stanford research shows modern bioidentical hormone therapy poses low risk when started early during perimenopause or early menopause under proper medical supervision.
Yes, when properly prescribed and monitored. Our physicians screen all patients to ensure HRT is safe for your specific health profile.
Winona is currently cash-pay but HSA/FSA eligible. Most women find the convenience, personalization, and unlimited doctor access worth the investment vs. fighting insurance for limited options.
Absolutely. You can pause or cancel your treatment at any time with no penalties.
Complete a comprehensive questionnaire about your symptoms and medical history.
A Winona physician reviews your information and creates a treatment plan tailored specifically to you.
Your bioidentical hormones are shipped discreetly to your home.
Winona provides fast, easy, and convenient care for your menopause symptoms.
80%
feel total relief within 90 days
24 hr
access to physician messaging
< 5 days
to receive your treatment
Perimenopause symptoms don't stay the same; they typically worsen over time.
The hormonal cascade continues, symptoms compound, and the impact on your relationships, career, and happiness grows.
I lost almost two years of my life to symptoms that had a solution.
Don't let another month go by wondering "what if."
1- Continue struggling with symptoms that are stealing your energy, confidence, and joy...
2- Or take action today to address the root cause and start feeling like yourself again.
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These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary.
