Author name: Mariana Franco

Mariana Franco is a Behavioural Nutritionist who helps women 35+ break free from dieting and navigate perimenopause with confidence. Through her Take Charge program and community Beyond Diets, she empowers women to rebuild energy, trust their bodies, and create lasting lifestyle shifts without restriction.

Woman experiencing constipation and abdominal discomfort during perimenopause.

Constipation and Perimenopause: Causes, Signs & Practical Relief

Changes in digestion, including constipation, can happen during the perimenopause years. Hormonal fluctuations may influence gut function, but they are only one piece of the picture. Changes in activity, diet, fluid intake, sleep, stress and medications can also affect bowel regularity. Understanding what may be contributing to constipation can help you find an approach that […]

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Woman experiencing brain fog and difficulty concentrating during perimenopause.

Brain Fog and Perimenopause: Causes, Cognitive Changes & Ways to Cope

Finding it harder to concentrate, remember everyday details or find the right word can be surprisingly unsettling during perimenopause. Cognitive symptoms are commonly reported during the menopause transition, particularly difficulties with memory, attention and mental clarity. Hormonal changes may play a role, but sleep disruption, stress, mood changes and other factors can also affect how

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Woman experiencing difficulty concentrating and mental overwhelm associated with ADHD and perimenopause.

ADHD and Perimenopause: Why It Happens, Key Signs & Management Tips

Perimenopause can bring changes in concentration, memory, motivation, sleep and emotional regulation. For women with ADHD, these changes may make existing symptoms more difficult to manage. For others, perimenopause may be the point when longstanding ADHD traits become noticeable enough to seek an assessment. The relationship between ADHD and perimenopause is still being researched, but

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Molecular structure of progesterone, a hormone that fluctuates during perimenopause.

Progesterone and Perimenopause: Roles, Signs & Management Options

Progesterone and perimenopause are tightly connected, and changes in this hormone can influence your cycles, mood, sleep and general wellbeing. If you are noticing irregular periods, more anxiety than usual, or difficulty sleeping, understanding progesterone’s role can help you take clearer steps forward. This post explains what progesterone does, how levels shift during perimenopause, common

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Menstrual cycle diagram showing the luteal phase during perimenopause.

Luteal Phase and Perimenopause: What Changes and Why It Matters

If your menstrual cycle has started behaving differently in perimenopause, the luteal phase is one part of the cycle worth understanding. Changes in ovulation and progesterone production can affect what happens in the days before your period, while changes in ovulation can also make your overall cycle less predictable. Here’s what happens to the luteal

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Woman examining her skin in a mirror during perimenopause.

How Perimenopause Changes Your Skin: From Breakouts to Sensitivity

Perimenopause skin problems can show up in all sorts of ways. Your skin may suddenly feel drier, more sensitive or itchy. You might develop breakouts after years without acne, notice more pigmentation or flushing, or find that skincare products you once tolerated now sting. Hormonal fluctuations are part of the explanation. Oestrogen has important effects

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Woman experiencing vaginal itching and vulvar discomfort during perimenopause.

Vaginal Itching and Perimenopause: Causes, Signs & Soothing Relief

Vaginal itching and perimenopause can occur at the same time, and hormonal changes can contribute to changes in the vulva and vagina. However, an itchy vulva is not always caused by perimenopause. Infections, skin conditions, irritation from personal-care products and other causes can produce very similar symptoms. Understanding the possible causes can help you work

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Woman experiencing abdominal discomfort and bowel issues during perimenopause.

Bowel Issues and Perimenopause: Managing Digestive Changes

Have you noticed changes in your digestion during perimenopause, such as bloating, constipation, diarrhoea or a change in your usual bowel habits? Hormonal changes may play a role. Research suggests that gastrointestinal symptoms can change during the menopause transition, although the relationship is complex and not yet fully understood. Stress, sleep disruption, diet, medications and

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Illustration of inflammation in a woman during perimenopause, highlighting painful joints in the shoulder, elbow, wrist and hip.

Inflammation and Perimenopause: Causes, Signs & Management Options

Perimenopause brings substantial hormonal changes, and research suggests the menopause transition may also be associated with changes in systemic inflammation. However, inflammation is only one piece of the picture. Symptoms such as fatigue, joint aches, poor sleep and brain fog can have many causes during midlife. Understanding what we know about inflammation during perimenopause can

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Woman experiencing digestive discomfort associated with perimenopause

Diarrhea and Perimenopause: Causes, Triggers & Ways to Cope

If you’ve started experiencing digestive issues alongside other changes in midlife, you might be wondering about the connection between diarrhea and perimenopause. While this isn’t always openly talked about, many women notice their gut becomes more unpredictable as their hormones shift. Let’s explore why this happens, what’s normal, and how you can feel more at

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Woman experiencing urinary changes during perimenopause near a bathroom

Urine Changes in Perimenopause: Causes, Warning Signs & Management

Navigating perimenopause brings enough surprises—yet changes in urine can be especially unsettling. From new urgency to unexpected leaks, and even a shift in odour or clarity, the experience of urine and perimenopause is common but rarely discussed openly. Let’s break down what’s happening, why it matters, and how you can manage these changes with care

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Woman experiencing shoulder pain during perimenopause, holding her shoulder while seated at home

Shoulder Pain and Perimenopause: Causes, Triggers & Easing Tips

Shoulder pain can seem to creep in out of nowhere during perimenopause, sometimes as a nagging ache, other times as stiffness or even burning discomfort radiating through the neck, shoulder, and upper back. If you’ve wondered whether these aches are simply part of getting older or connected to perimenopause, you’re not alone. This guide explains

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Middle-aged woman sitting thoughtfully on a sofa at home, illustrating emotional changes and mood swings that can occur during perimenopause.

Mood Swings and Perimenopause: Causes, Triggers & Ways to Cope

Navigating mood swings during perimenopause can be challenging, confusing, and at times overwhelming. From emotional ups and downs to sudden irritability, these changes can leave you wondering what’s happening inside your body, and how best to respond with compassion and care. This post provides a comprehensive, supportive look at the connection between mood swings and

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Migraine and Perimenopause: Causes, Triggers & Management Strategies

Perimenopause can change more than your periods. For many women, migraines shift in pattern, frequency, or intensity as hormones fluctuate. If you are asking how migraine and perimenopause connect and what you can do about it, this guide explains the likely causes, common triggers, practical self-care, and when to seek professional help. Migraines during perimenopause

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Frozen Shoulder and Perimenopause: Causes, Warning Signs & Relief

Frozen shoulder and perimenopause can be linked in surprising ways. If you have new shoulder stiffness, limited movement, or an ache that will not shift, it is reasonable to wonder whether hormonal changes are playing a part. This post explains what frozen shoulder is, how perimenopause may influence it, practical ways to ease symptoms, and

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