For years, I felt like my internal engine was stuck in high gear. That constant, low-level hum of anxiety that made me jumpy and irritable, even on quiet days. I was wired but so, so tired. Does that sound familiar?
That feeling of being perpetually 'on edge' during perimenopause is often tied to your perimenopause nervous system responses. As estrogen levels drop, the body's 'fight-or-flight' response can become overactive. This makes it harder for your vagus nerve — the main player in your 'rest-and-digest' system — to apply the brakes, leaving you feeling stuck in a state of high alert.
What exactly is this 'fight-or-flight' system?
Let's make this simple. Your body has an automatic control center called the autonomic nervous system. Think of it as having two settings: a gas pedal and a brake. The gas pedal is the Sympathetic system, your ‘fight-or-flight’ mode. It’s what kicks in when you’re stressed or perceive a threat, flooding you with cortisol and getting your heart racing. Very helpful if you’re actually in danger. Not so helpful when the "threat" is just another email in your inbox.
The brake pedal is the Parasympathetic system, your ‘rest-and-digest’ mode. Its job is to calm everything back down. And the main nerve in charge of hitting that brake is the vagus nerve. It's this long, wandering nerve that connects your brain to your heart, lungs, and gut, sending the "all clear" signal that lets your body relax and recover. It's the calm voice telling your system, "We're safe. You can stand down."
So how does perimenopause jam the system?
This is where it all started to make sense for me. The hormonal chaos of perimenopause — especially the decline in estrogen — seems to throw this whole gas-and-brake system out of balance. Research is starting to suggest that as estrogen levels fall, our 'fight-or-flight' response gets triggered more easily, while the calming 'rest-and-digest' system becomes less effective. It’s like your foot is constantly hovering over the gas, and the brake line is getting weak.
Scientists talk about something called 'vagal tone,' which is just a way of measuring how efficiently your vagus nerve is working. Good vagal tone means your body can quickly shift from stressed back to calm. But some studies suggest that lower estrogen levels may contribute to weaker vagal tone, making it harder for your body to regulate stress responses like heart rate and inflammation. When vagal tone is low, that feeling of being anxious, frazzled, or having a racing heart for no reason can become your new normal. And it’s not just a feeling — these hormonal imbalances are identified as a major contributor to sleep problems, for which many women find support with GloRest, and emotional disturbances during this time.
What This Means for You
First, take a deep breath. Knowing this isn't about adding one more thing to your worry list. It's about validation. That 'on edge' feeling isn't a personal failing or something you just have to "push through." There's a real, physiological reason for it. Your body is navigating a massive hormonal shift, and your nervous system is feeling the effects.
The science here is still emerging, but understanding the connection is the first step. It shifts the focus from "What's wrong with me?" to "How can I support my nervous system right now?" Sometimes that support isn't about a grand gesture. It's about the small, consistent things, including targeted support like GloBalance, that can help encourage that 'rest-and-digest' response. Some studies have shown that simple lifestyle habits like physical exercise may support vagal tone by helping to increase vagus nerve activity. It could be a walk, deep belly breathing for a few minutes, or even just singing loudly in your car. All of these are simple ways of calming the vagus nerve and gently reminding your body how to find the brake pedal again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can perimenopause actually cause anxiety, or does it just feel that way?
Hormonal shifts, especially in estrogen and progesterone, are a primary contributor to symptoms like anxiety and emotional disturbances during perimenopause. It’s not just a feeling; there’s a biological reason you might feel more 'on edge' as your nervous system's balance is disrupted.
What is 'vagal tone' and why does it matter so much during perimenopause?
Think of vagal tone as a measure of your vagus nerve's health. Good tone means your body can quickly calm down after stress. During perimenopause, declining estrogen may reduce vagal tone, making it harder for your body to switch out of 'fight-or-flight' mode and leaving you feeling anxious or overwhelmed more often.
Can I do anything to improve my vagus nerve function during perimenopause?
You can't "fix" it, but you can support it. The goal is to gently activate your 'rest-and-digest' system. Simple habits like deep, slow breathing, gentle exercise, spending time in nature, or even gargling with water can stimulate the vagus nerve and may help your body better manage stress.
Sources
- What does the Vagus Nerve have to do with Menopause? (2022)
- The Vagus Nerve and Perimenopause and Menopause – Morphus (2023)
- Does cervical spine instability worsen menopausal symptoms? (2024)
- Insomnia in perimenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of its prevalence and risk factors (2023)
- Mechanism of Microbiota-Gut-Brain in Perimenopausal Depression (2024)
- The Hidden Link Between the Vagus Nerve and Menopause (2025)
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.