The Hormonal Seasons of a Woman’s Life: Wisdom from Evelyn, Who’s Been Through Them All

I met Evelyn on a sunny afternoon that felt ordinary — until she started speaking about her hormonal journey.

She had one of those voices that made you lean in. Grounded. Gentle. Wise. Just my cuppa. She saw me studying and mentioned she’d journeyed through every major hormonal transition a woman can face: Puberty. Pregnancy. Postpartum. Perimenopause. Menopause. Post-menopause.

“I’ve lived through the whole hormone rollercoaster,” she said with a smile. “And let me tell you — each season comes with its own story. But no one tells you how to read the map.” So, I asked if she would tell me hers, and I am so glad she did.

I’m sure she wouldn’t mind that I am now sharing it here — not as medical advice, but as a compassionate, honest guide.

Maybe you’ve already been through one or more of these transitions. Maybe you haven’t — due to life choices, health conditions, or circumstances. No matter your path, this story is for you. Because whether you’re entering a new hormonal season or reflecting on a past one, understanding your body is power.

Puberty: When the Body Wakes Up

Evelyn remembered it like it was yesterday. “I was 11, furious that my mum didn’t buy the ‘right’ cereal. I slammed the door, cried in the bathroom, and felt this weird combination of embarrassment and rage. No one said, ‘Your hormones are kicking in.’ They just called me a moody teenager.”

Puberty is when your body’s hormonal symphony begins. The brain signals the ovaries to produce estrogen and progesterone, triggering:

• Breast development

• Body hair growth

• The start of menstruation

• Emotional swings and increased sensitivity

“Looking back,” Evelyn said, “I wasn’t ‘overreacting.’ My body was just beginning to speak a language I hadn’t learned yet, so of course I was confused.”

Pregnancy: When Hormones Go Into Overdrive

In her late 20s, Evelyn became pregnant. “It was like someone changed the radio station in my body. I was still me — but… on another frequency.”

Hormones like human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), estrogen, progesterone, and oxytocin rise dramatically to support the growing baby and prepare the body for birth. These shifts influence:

• Nausea and food aversions

• Cravings and heightened senses

• Mood changes and vivid dreams

• Breast tenderness and fatigue

“It wasn’t just about growing a baby. It was like my body had a whole new job, and the hormones were my coworkers — some lovely, some chaotic,” she laughed.

Even if you haven’t experienced pregnancy, understanding it reminds us of the immense hormonal labour a woman’s body is capable of —and the compassion we owe ourselves and others during these major changes.

Postpartum: The Unspoken Crash

Nothing prepared Evelyn for the hormonal crash after birth. “I remember sitting on the couch, holding my baby, and crying for no reason. I wasn’t sad. I wasn’t tired. I was just… drenched in emotion.”

After delivery of a baby, estrogen and progesterone levels exponentially decrease, while prolactin and oxytocin increase (especially if breastfeeding). This hormonal drop can cause:

• Mood swings and “baby blues”

• Postpartum depression or anxiety

• Fatigue, hair loss, night sweats

• Heightened emotional sensitivity

“The world says, ‘You should be so happy!’ But your body is screaming, ‘Help, I’m adjusting!’” Evelyn said. “And that disconnect is so isolating.”

Her advice? Get support. Normalise the emotional complexity of this transition. The crash is hormonal, not a reflection of your love for your child.

Perimenopause: The Wild Unknown

By her mid-40s, Evelyn was confused. “Some months, my period disappeared. Other times, it was a crime scene. I couldn’t sleep, my anxiety spiked, and I felt like I was constantly overheating.”

This was perimenopause — the years-long transition before menopause. Hormones, especially estrogen, start fluctuating unpredictably. Symptoms vary but often include:

• Irregular or heavy periods

• Night sweats and hot flashes

• Mood swings and irritability

• Fatigue and brain fog

“No one warned me that perimenopause could last years,” she said. “I thought menopause was one event. But this? This was a journey. A very sweaty one, but it looks different on everyone.”

Menopause: The Milestone

At 51, Evelyn marked 12 full months without a period. That was it: menopause. “I lit a candle and poured a glass of wine,” she said. “I honoured the pause. No more cycles. A new chapter.”

At this point, estrogen and progesterone levels remain low, and the ovaries stop releasing eggs. While some symptoms from perimenopause linger, menopause itself is a milestone — not a sudden switch. Evelyn noticed:

• Deeper sleep (eventually)

• A new kind of steadiness

• Some grief but also relief

“It wasn’t the end of my femininity,” she said. “It was the beginning of a different, quieter kind of power.”

Post-Menopause: The New Normal

Today, Evelyn is in her 60s. She walks every morning, drinks tea in silence, and reads historical fiction in the afternoons. “Post-menopause isn’t a flatline,” she explained. “Your hormones are still there — just subtler. But their impact is lifelong.”

Post-menopause brings long-term considerations:

• Bone health (due to lower estrogen)

• Heart health

• Vaginal and bladder changes

• Ongoing emotional shifts

“I focus on strength training, magnesium, and honest conversations with those I let into my life,” Evelyn smiled. “I’m still learning how to live in this new hormonal rhythm.”

If Your Path Looks Different — You Belong Here Too

Not every woman will experience all of these transitions. Some will go through early menopause due to surgery or medical treatment. Others may not menstruate or carry children. Some experience hormone-related changes due to PCOS, endometriosis, thyroid conditions, or chronic stress. And some of you may be asking—what about me?

To you, Evelyn would say: “Every woman has a hormonal story, even if it doesn’t follow the typical script. And every story deserves understanding and care.”

Evelyn’s Parting Wisdom: You Are Not Broken—You Are Becoming

Before we parted, I asked Evelyn if she had one message for women navigating any hormonal change.

She paused, then said: “Track your patterns. Listen to your body. Share your story. And please — stop thinking you’re supposed to ‘bounce back.’ You’re not bouncing. You’re transforming.”

Where are you in your hormonal story? Whether you’re just beginning, navigating the messy middle, or reflecting on decades of change — you deserve to understand what’s happening inside your body.

Today, choose one thing:

• Start tracking your cycle or symptoms

• Share this blog with a friend

• Reflect on what stage you’re in — and how you’ve changed

• Ask your doctor one hormone-related question next visit

You’re not alone in this. Evelyn walked the path. So have millions of women before us. And now? It’s your turn to walk it with understanding — and with power.

With love and balance, my Friends x