We’ve both treated thousands of women and lived through it ourselves. The truth? Perimenopause doesn’t begin in your 40’s. It starts years earlier, and too many are left struggling without answers.

If you’ve been told you’re “too young” for perimenopause, you’re not alone—and you’re not too early. In this conversation with Dr. Fatima Khan, an Australian menopause specialist, we dig into what perimenopause really looks like and why so many women fall through the cracks of outdated definitions.

Dr. Khan explains how progesterone and testosterone begin declining in our late 30s, long before estrogen crashes. The result? Fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, and heavy bleeding symptoms often brushed off or misdiagnosed. We discuss how the stress of modern life, poor sleep, and constant cortisol spikes are pouring gasoline on an already intense hormonal fire.

But this isn’t just about hormones it’s about support. From rethinking your exercise habits to building better boundaries and giving up the need to control everything (easier said than done), we talk about real-life tools that make this phase survivable and maybe even freeing.

Whether you're a clinician or someone living through the chaos, this episode offers a new lens on the perimenopause transition one that goes far beyond HRT and into the heart of what women truly need.

Highlights:

• Why current definitions of perimenopause don’t reflect what women actually experience.
• The early symptoms no one talks about: anxiety, fatigue, and mood swings.
• The role of progesterone and testosterone before estrogen becomes the issue.
• How cortisol and chronic stress intensify hormonal symptoms.
• Practical tools for nervous system support and reclaiming your energy.

If you found this episode helpful, make sure to subscribe, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, and share it with someone who might need it too.

Get in Touch with Dr. Khan:

Website

Instagram 

Get in Touch with Dr. Rahman:

Website

Instagram

Youtube