What if PMS and pain aren’t normal?

04/05/25 • 24 min

You’ve been told your whole life that your period is meant to be awful.
Painful. Messy. Something you just have to put up with.
But what if that’s not true?

Because just like your blood pressure or body temperature, your period is a vital sign — and when you know how to read it, you can actually use it to feel better, not just dread it coming each month.

Key Takeaways:

The signs that your period might be trying to tell you something — and how to start listening before things feel out of control.
What a truly healthy cycle looks like (hint: it’s not what most of us were taught)
Why things feel harder in your 40s — and how to support your body without overhauling your whole life

Sneak Peek:

“Every cycle, every bleed, every single symptom — or lack of symptoms — it’s all feedback from your body. And when you know how to interpret it, you can stop just surviving your cycle... and actually be pleasantly surprised by its arrival.”

If your period feels like it’s running the show — or like your body is doing things you don’t understand — this episode is for you.

Listen to Episode 88 now and start changing your cycle to a “new normal.”

Send us a question for the FAQs segment or your feedback, we’d love to hear from you.

Find out more about Sarah, her services and the Freebies mentioned in this episode at https://www.ThePerimenopauseNaturopath.com.au

The Perimenopause Decoder is the ultimate guide to understanding if perimenopause hormone fluctuations are behind your changing mood, metabolism and energy after 40, what phase of perimenopause you're in, and how much longer you may be on this roller coaster for.
For more, follow on Instagram at @theperimenopausenaturopath.

WORK WITH SARAH THE PERIMENOPAUSE NATUROPATH:

PerimenoGO (because who wants to pause anyway?!) A self-guided program to help you reverse weight gain, boost energy, and reclaim your mood — without extreme diets or cutting carbs. Perfect for women who want a realistic plan that fits around kids, work, and actual life.
The Chaos to Calm Method: A 1:1 personalised program for women who want a more personalised plan and support — especially if you’ve got 10kg+ to lose, other health issues, or feel like your body’s just stuck. Includes comprehensive blood testing and analysis, Metabolic Balance ...

You’ve been told your whole life that your period is meant to be awful.
Painful. Messy. Something you just have to put up with.
But what if that’s not true?

Key Takeaways:

The signs that your period might be trying to tell you something — and how to start listening before things feel out of control.
What a truly healthy cycle looks like (hint: it’s not what most of us were taught)
Why things feel harder in your 40s — and how to support your body without overhauling your whole life

Sneak Peek:

If your period feels like it’s running the show — or like your body is doing things you don’t understand — this episode is for you.

Listen to Episode 88 now and start changing your cycle to a “new normal.”

Send us a question for the FAQs segment or your feedback, we’d love to hear from you.

Find out more about Sarah, her services and the Freebies mentioned in this episode at https://www.ThePerimenopauseNaturopath.com.au

The Perimenopause Decoder is the ultimate guide to understanding if perimenopause hormone fluctuations are behind your changing mood, metabolism and energy after 40, what phase of perimenopause you're in, and how much longer you may be on this roller coaster for.
For more, follow on Instagram at @theperimenopausenaturopath.

WORK WITH SARAH THE PERIMENOPAUSE NATUROPATH:

PerimenoGO (because who wants to pause anyway?!) A self-guided program to help you reverse weight gain, boost energy, and reclaim your mood — without extreme diets or cutting carbs. Perfect for women who want a realistic plan that fits around kids, work, and actual life.
The Chaos to Calm Method: A 1:1 personalised program for women who want a more personalised plan and support — especially if you’ve got 10kg+ to lose, other health issues, or feel like your body’s just stuck. Includes comprehensive blood testing and analysis, Metabolic Balance ...

Previous Episode

It’s never too late.

Is this just how it’s going to be now?

If you’ve started wondering whether you’ve missed your chance to feel good again - this one’s for you.

Because no, you’re not too old. You’re not past it. And you haven’t left it too late.

Key takeaways from this episode:

Why all your effort (fasting, lifting, tracking protein) might not be working - and what to do instead
The real reason your symptoms have built up over time (hint: your body’s not broken, it’s just not being supported the right way)
What it means to stand at a “fork in the road” in perimenopause - and how to choose a path that supports your health for decades to come

This episode will help you shift the way you see your body and this stage of life, and show you why now is actually the perfect time to make a change (even if you’ve tried everything before).

Sneak peek:

“Perimenopause is a fork in the road - literally and figuratively. What you do now? It matters. Not in a pressure-y, perfect way - but in a hopeful, you’ve got more control than you think way.”

If you’ve been doing everything you were told to do and still feel flat, foggy, tired and like nothing’s working - press play on this one.

It’s not too late. It’s just time for a new approach that works with your changing body.

Listen now to hear what your body’s really asking for - and how to respond in a way that actually works.

Links & resources mentioned in the episode:

Send us a question for the FAQs segment or your feedback, we’d love to hear from you.

Find out more about Sarah, her services and the Freebies mentioned in this episode at https://www.ThePerimenopauseNaturopath.com.au

The Perimenopause Decoder is the ultimate guide to understanding if perimenopause hormone fluctuations are behind your changing mood, metabolism and energy after 40, what phase of perimenopause you're in, and how much longer you may be on this roller coaster for.
For more, follow on Instagram at @theperimenopausenaturopath.

WORK WITH SARAH THE PERIMENOPAUSE NATUROPATH:

PerimenoGO (because who wants to pause anyway?!) A self-guided program to help you reverse weight gain, boost energy, and reclaim your mood — without extreme diets or cutting carbs. Perfect for women who want a realistic plan that fits around kids, work, and actual life.
The Chaos to Calm Method: A 1:1 personalised program for women who want a more personalised plan and support — especially if you’ve got 10kg+ to lose, other health issues, or feel like your body’s just stuck. Includes comprehensive blood testing and analysis, Metabolic Balance ...

Next Episode

The messy midlife: why your body feels so different in perimenopause

Feeling like a stranger in your own body lately?

It’s not just "getting older" — and it’s definitely not "all in your head."

In this episode, I’m breaking down what’s really happening inside your body during perimenopause. We’ll talk about why it’s not just about your hormones dropping, but about the chaos and flux happening behind the scenes. You'll learn how your metabolism, mood, and body are changing, even when you feel like you’re doing “all the right things.” And I’ll explain why calories and cardio aren’t cutting it anymore — and what your body actually needs now.

Key Takeaways:

The hormone shifts that cause more chaos (not just decline) in perimenopause
Why your body’s ability to adapt is the real game-changer
A high-level strategy to help you downgrade the hormonal rollercoaster without overhauling your whole life

Sneak Peek:

“You’re not broken. You’re in the messy middle — and with the right support, you can help your body adapt, thrive, and feel good again.”

Links and resources mentioned in the episode:

Episode 3: The estrogen roller coaster
Episode 81: Estrogen excess
Episode 4: The progesterone decline
Episode 67: The appetite hormones messing with your hunger
Episode 53: Insulin’s role in perimenopause
Episode 42: Cortisol
Learn more about

Send us a question for the FAQs segment or your feedback, we’d love to hear from you.

Find out more about Sarah, her services and the Freebies mentioned in this episode at https://www.ThePerimenopauseNaturopath.com.au

The Perimenopause Decoder is the ultimate guide to understanding if perimenopause hormone fluctuations are behind your changing mood, metabolism and energy after 40, what phase of perimenopause you're in, and how much longer you may be on this roller coaster for.
For more, follow on Instagram at @theperimenopausenaturopath.

WORK WITH SARAH THE PERIMENOPAUSE NATUROPATH:

PerimenoGO (because who wants to pause anyway?!) A self-guided program to help you reverse weight gain, boost energy, and reclaim your mood — without extreme diets or cutting carbs. Perfect for women who want a realistic plan that fits around kids, work, and actual life.
The Chaos to Calm Method: A 1:1 personalised program for women who want a more personalised plan and support — especially if you’ve got 10kg+ to lose, other health issues, or feel like your body’s just stuck. Includes comprehensive blood testing and analysis, Metabolic Balance ...

Chaos to Calm - What if PMS and pain aren’t normal?

Transcript

If you've ever struggled with mood swings, cramping, clotty periods, or just feeling like a completely different person every time your period rolls around. Well, I'm glad you've joined me here today because I'm breaking down what's actually normal when it comes to your period, and what's not. So make sure you stay tuned with me right through the episode because we're gonna cover what a healthy cycle actually looks like, why things feel more intense in your forties, and what you can do to feel