Award Winning Female Focused Nutritionist & Hormone Specialist

Hello, I’m Lucy Childerley, I am based in the Woburn Sands/Aspley Guise area and specialise in women’s health, offering bespoke nutrition and lifestyle programmes to get you back in control. There is so much conflicting advice out there and it can feel like a minefield – but I can empower you to take back control of your health, regain balance and feel happy in your own body once again.

Feeling Tired, Gaining Weight, Snappy? It Could Be Perimenopause

Are you gaining weight despite eating well?

Feeling tired all the time (TATT), low in energy, moody or not quite yourself?

You’re not imagining it and you’re not alone.

These are common perimenopause symptoms, and they can begin much earlier

than most women realise.

Life in Your 40s: Why Perimenopause Can Feel So Overwhelming

As women, we are incredibly capable. In our 20s and 30s, many of us feel confident,

energised and unstoppable. But for many women, the 40s and early 50s bring

unexpected physical and emotional changes.

By this stage of life, we’re often:

•  Managing demanding careers

•  Raising children or teenagers

•  Supporting ageing parents

•  Carrying the mental load at home and work

  
  

And what usually slips to the bottom of the list?

Our own health.

We push through, keep going, and tell ourselves we’ll deal with it later, often

unaware that our hormones are quietly shifting in the background.

What Is Perimenopause?

Perimenopause is the hormonal transition before menopause, driven by changes in

oestrogen and progesterone. It can start from around age 35 and continue until

menopause, which typically occurs between 45–55.

Every woman’s experience is unique, and genetics play a role, which is why

awareness and personalised support are so important.

This phase is exactly why in clinic we offer 1:1 support or our group programme-

THRIVE AFTER 35®, to help women understand what’s happening in their bodies

before symptoms start to feel overwhelming.

Hormone Changes During Perimenopause

During perimenopause:

•  Progesterone declines earlier and more rapidly

•  Oestrogen fluctuates -sometimes high, sometimes low

•  Hormonal balance becomes more fragile

  
  

These fluctuations can trigger a wide range of symptoms that change month to

month.

Common Low Oestrogen Symptoms

Low oestrogen may contribute to:

•  Weight gain

•  Poor sleep or insomnia

•  Fatigue and low energy

•  Brain fog and forgetfulness

•  Low mood or depression

•  Hot flushes and night sweats

•  Joint pain

•  Hair thinning or hair loss

•  Vaginal dryness and painful sex

•  Low libido

Common High Oestrogen Symptoms

High or unbalanced oestrogen may show up as:

•  Weight gain around hips and thighs

•  Heavy or painful periods

•  PMS

•  Breast tenderness

•  Fibroids or endometriosis

•  Mood swings, anxiety or irritability

•  Headaches or migraines (often pre-period)

•  Bloating and water retention

Low Progesterone Symptoms

Low progesterone often mirrors high oestrogen because these hormones work in

balance. Symptoms may include:

•  Anxiety

•  Poor stress tolerance

•  Sleep disruption

•  Clumsiness

•  Itchy legs at night

Stress, Cortisol & Perimenopause: Why “Always On” Makes Symptoms Worse

Many women tell me, “I’m just on the go all the time.”

Chronic busyness keeps stress hormones- cortisol and adrenaline elevated.

These hormones take priority over reproductive hormones, which means hormone

balance often suffers.

When cortisol remains high:

•  Blood sugar rises for quick energy

•  Excess sugar is stored as belly fat

•  Digestion and hormone production are suppressed

  
  

This is one of the key areas we focus on inside THRIVE AFTER 35® and always

with 1:1 clients -helping women lower stress load and rebuild resilience so

hormones can rebalance naturally.

Cortisol, Progesterone & the Hormone Cascade

All steroid hormones are made from the same precursor: pregnenolone. When

stress is high, the body diverts this hormone towards cortisol production instead of

progesterone.

This results in:

•  Lower progesterone

•  Relative oestrogen dominance

•  Worsening perimenopause symptoms

  
  

Common consequences include:

•  Stubborn weight gain

•  Feeling wired but exhausted

•  Cravings

•  Poor sleep

•  Anxiety and low confidence

You Are Not Broken - You Are Perimenopausal

I’ve worked with many intelligent, capable women who believed they were losing

their memory, developing depression or heading towards burnout.

In reality, they were experiencing perimenopause alongside long-term stress.

Once we address the root causes, nutrition, stress, sleep and hormone balance,

women often feel like themselves again.

Book a Free Perimenopause Discovery Call

If you’re wondering whether THRIVE AFTER 35® or 1:1 support is right for you, I offer a

FREE discovery call to talk through your symptoms and goals.

How I Can Support You

I take the time to really understand you. By reviewing your questionnaires, food diaries

and any relevant testing (where appropriate), I create a fully personalised plan tailored to

your body, your lifestyle and your goals.

This may include foods to increase or reduce, targeted supplements, and realistic lifestyle

strategies, all designed to get to the root cause of what’s going on, rather than just masking

symptoms. My aim is to help you feel more balanced, energised and like yourself again.

If you’re ready to stop guessing and start feeling better, I’d love to support you. Get in touch

to book a call and see how we can work together.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Get started in the way that feels right for you:

•  ��Download my FREE RESOURCES to get you started

•  �� Book a call or contact the clinic

M: 07813 871 776

E: hello@lucychilderley.co.uk

W: www.lucychilderley.co.uk

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