Perimenopause is often described as decline: the old crone arriving, hormones crashing, symptoms stacking up and youth slipping away…

I don’t see it that way. And I don’t want you to either.

You are not alone with the broken sleep, rages, strange whole-body swelling, brain fog, aches, and shifting cycles. It can feel  very overwhelming and a little scary, especially if you are in your early 40’s. Perimenopause normally starts mid 30’s but we only start to recognise issues in our 40-50’s. But try to reframe seeing these changes as weakness. They are signals. Invitations to live differently, more intentionally, and for ourselves. Unmistakable reminders that we need to move higher up the pecking order for our own time and attention.

They are also signs that your body needs help: nutrients, rest, and a different way of fuelling and supporting yourself.

That’s why creating a toolbox, not a one-size-fits-all solution, but a set of supports you can reach for as and when you need them is the best approach. This can mean working alongside other prescriptions or naturally, whatever works for you. At The Natural Clinic in Cork, Louise Kane Buckley helps women put that toolbox together, at your pace, in a way that fits your life.

Here are some of the tools she uses with clients:

• Nutritional Therapy – fuelling hormone balance, digestion, energy, memory, sleep and mood.
• Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy – calming the nervous system, reducing pain, improving sleep.
• EFT Tapping – softening overwhelm and shifting unhelpful thought patterns.
• Bach Flower Remedies – subtle, gentle emotional support.
• Fascia Release exercises & Breathwork – releasing stiffness, easing resistance to change, creating more fluidity.
• Handcrafted Products –
  • Wild Yam Balm for hormone-sensitive days.
  • Recovery Balm for achey joints and flare-ups.
  • Magnesium Oil to release muscle tension and support deeper sleep.

Every woman’s perimenopause looks different. For many, it’s a mix of lots of symptoms. That’s why having someone who can see the bigger picture with chronic pain, hormone changes, sleep struggles, long-term conditions matters so much.

With the right toolbox, perimenopause becomes less about surviving symptoms and more about supporting your body into its next chapter.

If you’re in Cork and navigating perimenopause, book  a session to begin building the supports that make this transition steadier, kinder, and more effectively.