Understanding Perimenopause: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction: A Personal Journey

It was 7 am. I had just gotten up and was on my way downstairs when a wave of unhappiness and guilt hit me. I was in the second week after my period, a time when I usually felt terrific and full of life, but this time was different. I decided to shrug it off, fix breakfast for my kids, and then finish packing for our trip to Scotland. Yet, the feeling persisted, and I remembered my argument with my husband the previous night, an argument I started for no reason, looking back. Something wasn’t right. It felt like I was about to get my period, even though it was weeks away. My hormones were wreaking havoc on my body and causing chaos in my life.

I also noticed my extreme irritability and how sometimes I shout at my kids for no reason, just kids being kids. So, I started the research. I had no idea what perimenopause was, but here is my journey and my research so you can get the answers before having to ask yourself what’s wrong or what has changed with your body. 

What is Perimenopause?

Perimenopause is the transitional period leading up to menopause, marked by significant hormonal fluctuations. These changes can start as early as your mid-30s and typically last several years. During this time, your ovaries gradually produce less oestrogen, leading to various physical and emotional symptoms​.

Common Symptoms of Perimenopause

Irregular Periods:

Periods may become more prolonged, shorter, heavier, or lighter. In my case, PMS starts on day 21, and I get my period on day 44​. Imagine 23 days of depression, anxiety and extreme irritability.

Hot Flashes and Night Sweats:

Sudden feelings of heat are often accompanied by sweating and flushing​​. These are relatively new to me. I wake up sometimes feeling very hot, and I still blame it on the duvet because I’m not ready to accept I’m there yet.

Mood Swings and Irritability:

Hormonal changes can lead to irritability, anxiety, and depression. What's important to understand is that with perimenopause, hormonal changes happen throughout your menstrual cycle. Imagine 20-40 days of highs and lows.

Sleep Disturbances:

Trouble falling or staying asleep, often due to night sweats or hormonal fluctuations​.

Decreased Libido:

A reduction in sexual desire, sometimes due to hormonal changes or vaginal dryness​. I admit, this was a shock; I've always been madly in love with our sex life, and to experience a decrease in libido was something I was not expecting. I am still not sure if this experience comes from low testosterone, alongside depleted levels of oestrogen and progesterone. I tend to attribute it to the tretinoin I took for nine months to get rid of the acne I was fighting on and off for 20 years.

Causes and Hormonal Changes

Declining levels of oestrogen progesterone and sometimes testosterone primarily cause perimenopause. These hormonal shifts can affect various bodily functions, leading to the symptoms described above. The irregular release of these hormones can also cause extended periods of PMS-like symptoms, as I have experienced​.

Diagnosis and When to Seek Medical Advice

If you notice significant changes in your menstrual cycle or experience severe symptoms, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider. They can perform blood tests to check hormone levels and rule out other conditions causing your symptoms​.

Treatment and Management Options

Lifestyle Changes:

High Protein Diet or Mediterranean Diet: Incorporate more high-protein foods into your diet, such as lean meats, beans, nuts, and dairy products. Protein helps maintain muscle mass and stabilise blood sugar levels, which can mitigate mood swings.

Resistance Training: Engage in regular resistance training exercises. These can help maintain bone density, improve muscle mass, and boost overall metabolism, which is beneficial during perimenopause​.

Medical Treatments: Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): HRT can help balance hormone levels and alleviate symptoms​.

Holistic Alternatives:

Through my research, I found that a holistic approach could be an alternative to HRT, for which I was unprepared. I thought this was just for menopausal women, not for me, a 39-year-old woman who didn't know if she had ended the baby chapter because she wanted to or because she had to.

So, I started my research to find an alternative to HRT; I wanted something to make me feel like myself again, to enjoy the beautiful life I created with my husband and two beautiful kids. Full disclosure: I have nothing against HRT; I believe it's wonderful to have that option, and I may exercise my right to use it when I feel I have to.

Red Maca: An adaptogen that helps with the normal function of your ovaries. It supports hormonal balance and can help improve energy levels and mood​. The first time I started taking Maca was in 2016 when an endocrinologist told me it would be difficult to get pregnant because my hormone levels were not normal and I had anovulatory cycles. The doctor's recommendation was contraceptive pills to fix my hormone levels, which I politely refused.

Immediately after, I started researching and found that Maca would be an ideal solution to my problem. 3 months after religiously mixing Maca with food, I was pregnant with our first child.

Inofolic Alpha Plus: Contains Myo-Inositol and folic acid, which help regulate hormones and improve insulin resistance and egg quality. I chose the Plus version instead of the normal version because I was trying to lose some weight, and apparently, it suppresses appetite​, which it does, but I have yet to see the extra weight go away​.

Personal Tips

Through my journey, I’ve found that keeping a symptom diary helps track patterns and triggers. Additionally, open communication with my spouse and talking about it with women my age or older have been invaluable.

Conclusion

Perimenopause is a challenging phase, but you are not alone. By staying informed and proactive, you can manage your symptoms effectively. Follow our blog for more insights, tips, and a supportive community.