Let’s talk perimenopause…because no one else is!
Perimenopause isn’t determined by a test, more so by signs and symptoms and is a natural sequence of hormonal events that happen in the 5-10 years BEFORE menopause.
All women have a different experience and it does NOT last forever. As our hormones change, so do our symptoms.
So what are perimenopause symptoms?
As all things related to hormones, every woman will have a different experience. Some women may not experience any symptoms at all and her periods just disappear. Other women will experience ALL the symptoms, and then some!
Common signs of perimenopause include disrupted sleep and night sweats, heavier or lighter periods than usual, pelvic pain, sore breasts, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, weight gain, migraines, increased anxiety and depression – oh the joys!
So what’s really going on…? Here’s a run down of the different stages of perimenopause:
Stage 1 – We produce less progesterone
This can happen from your late 30’s to early 40’s. You might still be having regular periods, but your body starts to produce less progesterone. The symptoms that result can be increased anxiety, breast pain, heart palpitations, night sweats, migraines and crazy heavy periods.
Stage 2 – High and fluctuating estrogen
As we’re losing progesterone, we can also experience higher levels of estrogen – up to 3 times higher than what we’re used to.
This can create irritable moods, increased breast pain and really heavy periods. This excess estrogen can inflame our histamine levels, making us more sensitive – to different foods, sinus and hay fever reactions, and hives.
Stage 3 – Lower levels of estrogen
When the spikes of high estrogen drop from high to low, we might start to experience hot flushes, insomnia, brain fog, or trouble focusing. Our periods can become more irregular and can go months in between.
Stage 4 – Menopause – a year or more since your last period
Once you’ve gone a year without your period, you are officially in menopause. The average age in Australia is around 51. Our levels of estrogen and progesterone are naturally lower and we become more sensitive to insulin resistance (which makes us more sensitive to weight gain), hot flushes and insomnia, memory loss, vaginal dryness, and dry skin. We are also now at increased risk of osteoporosis and heart disease.
Now this all sounds a bit dire – but it doesn’t last for ever. This too shall pass…
What if I’ve had an ablation or hysterectomy?
This is what NO ONE ever tells you… if your ovaries are still intact, you can still go through these four phases of perimenopause. It can be really confusing because there’s this assumption that just because we don’t have periods anymore, you’re in menopause. Not so!
That’s right. You can have years of hidden cycling. So if you are experiencing mood changes, breast pain, pelvic pain, headaches and insomnia, it’s worth tracking to see if there is, in fact, a pattern.
What can I do about perimenopause?
Perimenopause is a really important window for our future health. Any small health issues, if they’re not addressed now, can amplify into bigger and more permanent health problems later on in life. So NOW is the time to make small and realistic changes that can pay out in the long term.
If this is ringing any alarm bells for you and you’d like our help, then book a call HERE and chat to one of my team to find out how the Well Balanced Woman program can help you.
Remember, the sooner we get onto this, the better the long term result!
How bad is it going to be?
All depends…
30% of women will sail through and not even notice.
30% will suffer debilitating symptoms that will impact day to day life.
The rest of us are somewhere in between.
Your actual experience will depend on a few factors.
Genetics
The experience of your mum, aunts and older sisters can give you some insight into what you can expect. Fortunately genes are only part of the story – the expression of these genes can be modified by nutrition, exercise and supporting a healthy lifestyle – including the way you manage stress and the quality of sleep you get!
Your Current General Health
Perimenopause can exacerbate any underlying health issues. Nutrient deficiencies, digestive issues, sluggish liver and if you’re tending towards mild insulin resistance, can put you onto full insulin resistance and abdominal weight gain.
Your Period History
If you have mild and symptom free periods you’re more likely to experience an easier transition through perimenopause into menopause – this is a good indication that everything’s working well.
Difficult, painful or heavy periods mean the same issues that affect your periods are going to affect your experience through perimenopause.
Perimenopause, Thyroid or Fibromyalgia?
The symptoms of ongoing fatigue, weight gain, aches and pains are common to many conditions experienced by women from their late 30’s through until the other side of menopause. Thyroid conditions, fibromyalgia and perimenopause are often mistaken for each other because the symptoms are so similar. All can be amplified by perimenopause too, so it’s important to be aware that each condition is worth being investigated and supported.
Want more here’s a Facebook Live I did in our group earlier this week:
https://www.facebook.com/571998279/videos/555878948916071/
If you’re ready to make some changes and you’d like my help, then book a call and let’s chat.
Remember, the sooner we get onto this, the better the long term result!
