The Menopause Mismatch: Why Modern Life Feels So Hard on Women
Menopause isn’t a new phenomenon - it’s been a natural part of a woman’s life for thousands of years. What is new, however, is the way modern lifestyles clash with how our bodies are designed to transition through this stage. Our ancestors experienced menopause in an environment far better aligned with their biological needs.
The result? Many of the symptoms we now accept as “normal” were far less common.
How Our Bodies Were Designed for Menopause
Historically, women lived in tight-knit communities, ate whole, nutrient-dense foods, moved throughout the day, and had lower levels of chronic stress. Their bodies were supported in ways that naturally eased the transition through perimenopause.
Consistent Movement: Daily life required walking, gathering food, and performing physical tasks that maintained muscle and bone health - vital for strength and metabolism.
Wholefood Diets: Traditional diets were rich in fibre, protein, and healthy fats, stabilising blood sugar and preventing the fatigue, irritability, and mood swings common today.
Lower Stress Levels: While survival challenges existed, there wasn’t the relentless, chronic stress of modern life. With less cortisol disruption, hormones were more balanced.
Strong Social Support: Women were surrounded by a multi-generational tribe. Emotional support reduced anxiety and isolation, while communal living boosted oxytocin - the hormone of bonding and safety - helping to buffer stress.
Fast forward to today, and the way we live couldn’t be more different:
Sedentary lifestyles → poor muscle mass, slower metabolism
Processed foods → blood sugar spikes, inflammation, gut disruption
Chronic stress & poor sleep → constant cortisol, worsening symptoms
Lack of community → women navigating menopause alone, missing the oxytocin-rich bonds that once buffered this transition
The Master Hormone: Oxytocin
Interestingly, in many cultures, menopause elevated a woman’s tribal ranking. No longer focused on reproduction, she became a wise elder, advisor, and caregiver. From an evolutionary perspective, a slowing metabolism may have been protective too - requiring fewer resources at a stage when nourishing the tribe’s younger generations took priority. Her sense of belonging and connection supported crucial oxytocin levels.
When we think of menopause, estrogen and progesterone take most of the spotlight. But oxytocin orchestrates balance, acting as a master regulator, counterbalancing stress and influencing mood, sleep, metabolism, and resilience:
Balances Cortisol: Oxytocin calms the stress response, protecting other hormones from disruption.
Supports Mood: It fosters connection, empathy, and safety, reducing anxiety and depression.
Improves Sleep: Lower stress and deeper relaxation help restore circadian rhythms.
Protects Heart & Metabolism: Oxytocin lowers inflammation, supports blood vessels, and regulates appetite.
Strengthens Social Bonds: In tribal life, oxytocin reinforced connection. Today, it explains why community is still one of the most protective tools we have in midlife.
How to Boost Oxytocin Naturally
Connection with loved ones
Hugs, massage, or intimacy
Laughing and sharing joy
Acts of kindness or giving
Animals
Gentle movement, yoga, and breathwork
Belonging to a supportive community
In perimenopause and menopause - when hormonal buffers weaken - oxytocin becomes even more important. It is the hormone that helps us adapt, stabilise, and thrive.
Perimenopause: A Critical Window for Prevention
Perimenopause is a critical window of opportunity to adjust diet and lifestyle. The way we care for ourselves during these years influences not only how we experience menopause, but also long-term risks such as:
Dementia
Osteoporosis
Heart disease
Autoimmune conditions
Depression and anxiety
Perimenopause Nutrition Focus
Prioritise whole foods rich in fibre, protein, and healthy fats
Balance blood sugar for mood, energy, and weight
Feed the gut microbiome with a variety of fruits, vegetables and and fermented foods
Support metabolic flexibility by reducing reliance on refined carbs and increasing protein and anti-inflammatory fat intake
Perimenopause Lifestyle Shifts
Strength & Movement: Resistance training protects bone and muscle; walking restores energy.
Stress & Sleep: Prioritising rest and circadian rhythm restores hormonal balance.
Community & Oxytocin: Nurturing connection, laughter, and belonging helps us harness the protective power of oxytocin.
Menopause isn’t a flaw - it’s a powerful stage of life. By embracing nutrition, movement, stress support, and community, we can move through this transition with resilience, vitality, and strength.
And that’s exactly what we do Inside Go Diet Free.
Before & After Go Diet Free
Before Go Diet Free:
“I honestly thought all my symptoms were just perimenopause. The weight gain around my middle, the brain fog, the constant tiredness and mood swings. I felt like I was just waiting for it to get worse, and nothing I tried seemed to help. Every diet I started ended in frustration, and I was so sick of the cycle of restriction and guilt.”
After Go Diet Free:
“Eight weeks later, I can’t believe how different I feel. I’ve lost weight without obsessing over calories, my energy is back, and for the first time in years, I actually feel in control of my hormones rather than ruled by them. I’m clearer, calmer, and my family has noticed the change too. This isn’t a quick fix - t’s a sustainable way of eating, for life. I finally feel like myself again.”
