How Genetics Influence Hormonal Balance: My Perimenopause Journey and What You Can Learn From It
Twelve weeks ago, I experienced something I never thought would hit me so suddenly—perimenopause symptoms.
As someone who has spent years studying genetics, epigenetics, and personalized health, I knew the transition to perimenopause was inevitable. But what caught me off guard was how quickly my body seemed to shift out of balance.
My once-regular 29-day cycle suddenly shortened to 25 days, and my periods stretched to 10 days long. I started waking up drenched in sweat, needing to change my pajamas multiple times a night. My usual 6 AM wake-up shifted to 4 AM with no chance of falling back asleep. I felt heart palpitations that made me stop and take a breath, and out of nowhere, my thoughts felt scattered, with waves of anxiety creeping in.
At first, I thought, maybe this is just a stressful month. I adjusted my self-care, made sure I was getting enough rest, and tried to ride it out. But when the same thing happened the next month, I knew I had to take a deeper look—because this wasn’t just stress.
I turned back to my genetics.
How Genetics Shape Our Hormonal Experience
Hormones are incredibly complex and influenced by a variety of factors, including age, lifestyle, stress, and environmental toxins. However, what many people don’t realize is that genetics play a huge role in how we experience hormonal shifts like perimenopause and menopause.
Your DNA provides the blueprint for how your body produces, metabolizes, and detoxifies hormones. Some people transition through perimenopause with very few symptoms, while others, like me, feel the effects intensely. Why? Because our genetic variations impact:
1. Estrogen Detoxification and Metabolism
Estrogen is a key hormone for reproductive health, but as we age, it becomes just as important for brain function, bone density, metabolism, and cardiovascular health. However, not all estrogen is the same.
Some forms of estrogen are beneficial and protective.
Others, when not metabolized properly, can contribute to inflammation, estrogen dominance, and an increased risk for hormonal conditions.
My genetic pathways for detoxification are slow, meaning my body struggles to clear out excess estrogen efficiently. When I recently lost weight, my fat cells released stored toxins and unhealthy estrogen into my system faster than my body could clear them, leading to a surplus of estrogen circulating in my body.
Additionally, my genes make me prone to converting healthy estrogen into less beneficial forms, which can further disrupt hormonal balance.
2. Stress Response and Cortisol Regulation
Genetic variations in stress-related genes, like FKBP5, influence how my body reacts to stress.
People with certain variations in these genes struggle to turn off the stress response once it’s activated, leading to prolonged high cortisol levels.
High cortisol not only worsens anxiety and sleep disturbances, but it also disrupts estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone balance.
Because I have these variations, when my stress response was triggered, it stayed activated—making my perimenopause symptoms even worse.
3. Sleep Disruptions and Circadian Rhythm Genes
Melatonin and cortisol work in harmony to regulate sleep. However, certain genetic variations can make it harder to produce melatonin, leading to shallow sleep, frequent wake-ups, and early morning rising.
My genetic predisposition to lower melatonin production meant that stress was blocking my ability to enter deep, restorative sleep. This created a vicious cycle—lack of sleep increased cortisol, which worsened hormonal imbalance, which further disrupted sleep.
How I Used My Genetic Blueprint to Reset My Hormones
Knowing that my genetics played a role in my symptoms allowed me to take targeted action instead of guessing.
1. Nutrition Adjustments
I realized I wasn’t eating enough protein based on my genetic needs. Protein plays a key role in stabilizing blood sugar and supporting neurotransmitter function, both of which help regulate hormones.
I also cut down on snacking and focused on eating balanced meals with plenty of fiber, healthy fats, and lean protein to support detoxification and metabolic health.
2. Targeted Supplementation
Because I knew my body wasn’t clearing estrogen efficiently and that my stress response was heightened, I started a specific supplement protocol to support these pathways:
Liposomal Glutathione and NAC to help my body detox excess estrogen and oxidative stress.
Sereniten Plus to reset my HPA axis and get out of the chronic stress loop.
Menopause Manager with White Peony, Rehmannia, DIM, and Lactium to balance estrogen metabolism, regulate Kisspeptin and Neurokinin-B (which influence perimenopause symptoms), and lower cortisol to reduce hot flashes.
Melatonin to enhance deep sleep and improve hormonal balance.
Low-dose progesterone cream (days 12-26), prescribed by my MD, to provide additional hormonal support.
3. Stress and Sleep Management
Because my stress genes make it difficult for my body to return to a calm state, I had to be extra mindful about managing stress in ways that actually worked for my biology. I focused on:
Daily movement, but not over-exercising. Too much intense exercise can increase cortisol. I balanced strength training with lower-intensity movement like walking and yoga.
Creating a solid evening routine to support melatonin production and promote deep sleep.
Supplementing strategically to lower stress hormone levels and allow my body to rest and recover.
The Results: A Drastic Shift in Just 4 Weeks
After following this genetics-based protocol, my body responded quickly.
My cycle regulated back to 28 days, and my period returned to a normal length.
I stopped soaking through my pajamas at night—I would still wake up warm some nights, but I wasn’t drenched.
My wake-up time shifted back closer to 6 AM, allowing me to feel rested.
I had days where I felt better than I had in a long time, and I kicked myself for not realizing sooner how much my hormones needed support.
Why Genetics Matter for Hormonal Health
So many women are told to “just deal with” perimenopause symptoms or are given generic solutions that don’t work. But without understanding your unique genetics, it’s nearly impossible to know what your body actually needs.
Stress, detox, and sleep support are often the missing links to why hormone replacement therapy doesn’t work completely or why supplements that worked for one person don’t work for another.
Now, as if the universe knows I’ve figured it out, half of my new clients are struggling with the same issues. And because I’ve been through it myself, I can guide them in a way that goes beyond textbook advice.
If You’re Struggling, You Don’t Have to Guess
Perimenopause, hormone imbalances, and stress-related symptoms are incredibly frustrating—but you don’t have to navigate them blindly.
If my story resonates with you, let’s talk.
I offer genetic-based consultations to help you find what works for your body—without the wasted time and money that comes from trial and error.
Book a free 15-minute consultation today, and let’s create a plan designed for you.
Author: Morgan Knull
Date: March 25, 2025