For women, menopause (broadly defined as ceasing to have a period for 12 consecutive months) is inevitable as they reach a certain age.
However, before menopause, many experience a phase called perimenopause, which can usher in a host of physical, emotional, and hormonal changes. Understanding these phases and knowing what options are available to you is not just important – it can change how you choose to navigate this time and your overall quality of life.
So – what the heck is perimenopause?
Perimenopause typically begins several years before menopause, often in a woman’s late 30s or 40s. What many women don’t know is just how many symptoms are linked to these fluctuating hormones:
-Hot flashes
-Night sweats
-Mood swings (including irritability, anxiety, depression, troubles with concentration)
-Irregular periods (can be shorter, longer or all over the place)
-Changes in libido
-Vaginal dryness
-Joint pain
-Sleep disturbances
-Fatigue
-Memory issues
-Hair changes
-Bladder incontinence/leakage
-Headaches
-Bladder infections
It’s a long list but – don’t fear – there are many things we can do to support your body through these changes!
Once menopause is confirmed and hormone levels stabilize at their new normal, there are other health considerations that become very important. The big ones I talk about in my practice are brain health, bone health (ie. bone density) and cardiovascular (heart) health.
How do I support my body through these changes effectively and safely?
Supporting your body through perimenopause and menopause can involve a combination of lifestyle adjustments, hormonal treatments, herbal/supplement support and mental/emotional support.
In my practice, a big part of what I do is around education and empowerment for women so they can make the right choice for them. A healthy lifestyle incorporating regular exercise (including weight bearing exercises), a nutrient dense diet with enough protein, proper sleep and sleep hygiene, stress management tools and mindset work can make a world of difference in how you feel during this transition.
A big topic of conversation in the last few years is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). More and more women are opting for HRT now as the research is piling up around how important this may be for long term health outcomes. Specifically, around bone health, metabolic health, brain health and cardiovascular health and decreasing moderate to severe symptoms that are negatively impacting quality of life.
Using herbal medicine when indicated along with targeted supplementation (beyond the ones most people have heard of like vitamin D or calcium) can also go a long way in ensuring a smoother transition.
Mindset and emotional support are also important as this time in women’s life can be very powerful and include the falling away of certain patterns or ways of being that are no longer serving them in their life.
If you are looking for education, empowerment, specialized testing and overall support – you have come to the right place! We can walk you through your options, discuss the benefits and potential risks of certain treatments and allow you to feel comfortable and confident in the path you are taking for your health.
