“Anxiety in perimenopause isn’t about your husband or your job; it’s your hormones.” - Leslie Duffy

While it would be easy to think your increased anxiety or irritability is a result of your workload, your partner, or the state of the world, that might not be the case. Here’s the truth: in perimenopause, shifting estrogen and progesterone is remodeling your brain and making you more vulnerable to anxiety than ever before. Racing thoughts, poor sleep, heart palpitations, jaw tension, or even not wanting to spend time doing things you used to love can all be signs that your hormones, not your willpower, are causing a change.

Understanding the “why” behind your anxiety is the first step toward taking back your power. In this episode, I’m connecting the dots between what’s happening in your brain and what you’re feeling day to day. We’ll unpack how shifting estrogen and progesterone levels change your stress response, why your nervous system suddenly feels more sensitive, and the real reason your body is reacting like there’s danger even when you’re safe.

I’m sharing lifestyle interventions that actually work, the pivotal roles of sleep, nutrition, and movement, and when it might make sense to go deeper with functional testing for hormones, gut health, thyroid, or adrenals. You’ll leave this episode knowing that you’re not broken or crazy, and you can regain a sense of calm and control, even in the middle of the hormone shift.

---

Your Takeaways

Why your anxiety might not be about your job or your partner

How fluctuating estrogen and progesterone disrupt calm and focus

Why anxiety feels bigger during midlife

Everyday practices that ease anxious symptoms

Tracking cycles, symptoms, and labs to bring clarity and control

---

Links & Resources

FREE Tracker: Feeling Anxious AF? Grab this free tracker + symptom checklist to start connecting the dots.(https://idyllic-wind-45449.myflodesk.com/lj57cu63zk)

HeartMath (https://www.heartmath.com/)

Book a Wellness Shift Strategy Call with Leslie - Your first step toward feeling clear, capable, and in control of your health again (https://calendly.com/leslieduffycoaching/wellness-shift-strategy-call)

---

Connect with Leslie

Connect with me and learn more at LeslieDuffyCoaching.com (https://leslieduffycoaching.com/)

Send me a message and follow me on Instagram @LeslieDuffyCoaching (https://www.instagram.com/leslieduffycoaching/)

Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube @TheHormoneShiftShow (https://www.youtube.com/@TheHormoneShiftShow)

I love hearing from listeners! Email your questions or topic requests to [email protected]

Check out Leslie’s favorite things: Amazon Storefront (https://www.amazon.com/shop/leslieduffycoaching)