In the last article, we looked at why keeping your periods for longer can have surprising benefits for your health. That naturally raises another question many women ask: “Can I actually do anything to influence when I go through menopause?”

The answer is both yes… and no.

The Role of Genetics

The biggest factor in when you’ll reach menopause is your DNA. If your mum, aunties, or older sisters experienced menopause early (say, mid-40s), you may be more likely to follow a similar timeline. If they kept cycling into their 50s, the same might be true for you.

Your family history can provide some helpful clues but the science of nutrigenomics shows us how we can use nutrition and lifestyle to influence our genes.

What You Can Influence

Your hormones will naturally decline as you age. The way you live can make a real difference in the timing, speed and impact of that decline on your health. Think of it as giving your body the best possible conditions to do what it’s designed to do.

Here are a few areas where lifestyle really matters:

1. Stress: Ongoing stress can raise cortisol, which disrupts the balance of your sex hormones and sometimes speeds up cycle changes. Gentle practices like walking, journaling, or even just taking five quiet minutes with a cup of tea can help keep stress hormones in check.
   

2. Nutrition: Your body needs raw materials to make and metabolise hormones. That means protein, healthy fats (like avocado, olive oil, nuts, and seeds), and foods rich in phytoestrogens (like flax, soy, and legumes) all help support balance. Micronutrients—especially magnesium, iron, and B vitamins—also play a role.
   

3. Movement: Regular exercise helps regulate blood sugar, support heart health, and maintain bone density. It doesn’t have to be bootcamp-hard—think strength training, yoga, walking, or swimming.
   

4. Lifestyle choices: Smoking and heavy alcohol use are both linked to earlier menopause. Steering clear of these where possible helps support your body’s natural timeline.

The Takeaway

You can’t outsmart your biology—but you can work with it. Managing your hormones through everyday choices isn’t about delaying menopause forever, but about making sure that when the transition happens, your body has the feel supported, steady, and strong.

What’s one small change you could make this week that would help support your hormones?

If you are looking for support, download my free Happy Hormones Challenge for 10 days of simple daily actions to support healthy hormones.