Before hitting perimenopause, around 45, the only things I really knew about menopause were hot flashes…
And not having a period anymore.
Honestly, both these things sounded pretty good to me.
First because I was freezing most of the time.
And no period? Where do I sign up???
However, with five years of peri under my belt (literally) and learning a lot more about perimenopause and others’ experiences, I know that it’s much more than this.
Now, to be fair, some women breeze through perimenopause, with nary a single ache, pain, or flash.
(Btw, just in case you’re new here, perimenopause is the 5 to 10 years before menopause. And menopause begins after your first full year without a period.)
But many of us can expect a cocktail of issues, with no single perimenopause experience being the same.
What to expect when you’re expecting in perimenopause
So, just to give you a taste of what you could experience, here are some known issues that are linked to perimenopause:
- Belly fat
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Heart palpitations
- Migraines
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Thyroid issues
- Irregular or heavy periods
- Bone loss
- Brain fog
- Joint pain
- Breast swelling
- Fibroids
- Urinary tract infections
- Urinary stress incontinence
- Dry skin
- Vaginal dryness
- Loss of sexual desire
- Insomnia
It’s a big list, I know.
And, just because you’re experiencing one or more of these issues, doesn’t mean it’s due to perimenopause.
So, it’s important to rule out other possible issues if you’re concerned.
However, if you’re over 45, I highly recommend seeing a doctor who specializes in perimenopause/menopause.
Most doctors are just not educated on this transition, and may be quick to medicate or dismiss you.
Perimenopause is not a disease.
It’s a natural, normal part of life for women.
But it can be uncomfortable, painful, and stressful.
It can even be debilitating.
And therefore, it’s a time to really tune in to what’s going on with you.
Especially if you’ve been trying to push through and carry on.
This is definitely not a time to grin and bear it.
There are no medals for toughing it out.
And no one else can slow you down.
You need to take charge here.
Because you can feel better.
But that may mean making changes to your lifestyle.
Or that may mean asking for help.
Or that may mean choosing hormone therapy.
My peri journey so far…
I’ll be honest, it’s been a tough year for me physically.
I’ve experienced belly fat, joint pain, heart palpitations, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, a few hot flashing and… and.. oh ya, brain fog.
I’ve had to be patient with myself.
And I’ve allowed myself to break down and cry every now and then.
I’ve learned that caffeine and alcohol tend to make my issues worse.
I’ve also learned what makes me feel better…
Gentle movement, resistance exercise, getting outside, eating only when I’m hungry, and taking moments of calm in my day.
And another big help has been connecting with other women in this transition.
I started the Belly Fat to Belly Fit (BF2BF) Group Coaching Program for this reason.
We definitely don’t have to, nor should we, do this alone.
Perimenopause – a new beginning
I really want to normalize menopause by talking about it and educating more people.
Because it’s happening.
More than half the world is female.
So, about half the planet will, at some point, go into menopause.
And it’s not just going to affect you physically.
It can also affect your work, your relationships, your emotional wellbeing, your energy, your body image, your sexual desire, and more.
It can cause things to bubble up that you’ve been hiding deep inside.
And it can cause you to seriously rethink your life, and question what it all means and what’s truly important.
It can be the impetus that propels you into a complete life make-over.
So, I’m choosing to think of this time as a new beginning.
It’s a time to pause – pun intended – and reflect and redefine what you want.
Start over, take charge, empower yourself, do the things you’ve been putting off, and really live your life on your own terms.
It could be the most creative time of your life.
Although you may have to struggle through it to get there.
I want to invite you to not struggle alone.
Surround yourself with women who will support and encourage you at this time.
People who won’t judge you.
Family and friends who will stand by you as you become who you want to be.
Keep moving forward my friend,
Debbie
P.S. Are you ready to move forward? I’d love to support you. There are TWO WAYS to work with me:
- One-on-one Life Coaching – Work one-on-one with me to get you to your health and life goals.
- BF2BF Group Coaching – Join me, and a community of amazing women, in March, to share, learn, and feel better as we move to the next level.