You haven't changed your routine. You're still training, watching what you eat and prioritising sleep when you can. But something has shifted. The body you once managed with relative ease now feels harder to understand.
If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. For some women, changes during perimenopause are part of the picture. Understanding what has changed is more useful than simply pushing harder.
What changes during perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the transition before menopause, when hormone levels fluctuate. Experiences vary considerably. Changes in body shape, disrupted sleep, low mood, brain fog and muscle or joint aches can affect how you feel about exercise and recovery.
A workout plateau on its own does not establish that hormones are the cause. If symptoms are new, persistent or affecting daily life, speak to your GP rather than assuming that every change is due to perimenopause.
Why your usual routine may need a review
It can be frustrating when the effort you put in no longer seems to match the result. Start by looking at the whole week: how you sleep, how demanding your training feels, whether you recover between sessions and what you want exercise to help you do.
Regular activity remains valuable. A balanced approach can include strength and weight-bearing exercise, a varied diet and a consistent sleep routine. The aim is a routine you can sustain, with room to recover, rather than escalating every workout in response to frustration.
Joint discomfort and recovery deserve attention
Hormonal changes can be associated with aching joints, but pain has many possible causes. Feeling stiff or tired does not by itself prove that you have systemic inflammation. Persistent symptoms deserve assessment before you choose a treatment or increase your training load.
Make a note of what you notice and what makes it better or worse. That can help you explain your experience to your GP and discuss your wellbeing goals with our team.
How LondonCryo can support your wellbeing routine
At LondonCryo St John's Wood, we offer a conversation about your goals and the recovery services that may suit you. We do not diagnose or treat perimenopause, and our services do not replace medical care or hormone treatment.
Whole-body cryotherapy: a brief exposure to cold, with suitability screening before your session.
Infrared sauna: a private heat session for people who enjoy making time for relaxation.
Compression therapy: a session using compression boots, with the team explaining the experience and checking suitability.
Red light therapy: a light-based service you can discuss with the team as part of your wellbeing routine.
These services are not established treatments for hormonal weight gain or perimenopause. We cannot promise changes in weight, inflammation, sleep or energy. Your health history and preferences should guide any decision.
Our perimenopause support consultation
We take time to understand your symptoms, lifestyle and goals, explain the available services and discuss whether any are appropriate alongside your existing care. You can ask questions before committing to a session or package.
This service is available at LondonCryo St John's Wood. Contact the team about a perimenopause support consultation or call 020 3371 8900.
You deserve support that understands your experience
You do not have to work out what has changed on your own. Start with the right medical advice where needed, then build a practical wellbeing routine around your own goals.
Further reading: NHS information on perimenopause symptoms and everyday ways to support your wellbeing.