My period was something I dreaded every month. There would be 2 to 2.5 weeks of feeling drained, having low energy, and worse, a lack of focus and fogginess. Among all the symptoms of my period, this is the one I feared the most. It was extremely difficult for me to work, feel well, and care for my family when I had those symptoms.
I was sure that I was experiencing Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) all along, but then I began to read about menopause. It was perimenopause that eventually landed me on the menopause spectrum since I no longer had PMS symptoms. The whole thing started to make sense to me! I'm not sure where I learned about it, but it all made sense to me! Here's what I learned:
Perimenopause is a transitional period that occurs before menopause.
Perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause when your body begins to make less estrogen. It's characterized by hormonal fluctuations and physical changes in your reproductive system, which may cause you to experience some pretty tough symptoms.
During this period, you may experience some or all of these symptoms:
Hot flashes (flushing)
Night sweats
Sleep disturbances (insomnia)
Mood swings
Irregular periods
Trouble sleeping
Brain fog
Low energy
Fatigue
Dry skin
Low motivation
Self-loathing
Fear
Anxiety
Depression
Perimenopause can begin as early as age 35 but most women don't start experiencing its symptoms until their late 40s or early 50s.
The length of perimenopause depends on each woman's individual body chemistry; some will experience it for just a few months while others may go through it for several years before entering menopause fully. It can typically last between three and ten years.
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms and want more information about perimenopause, talk with your doctor.
I used to complain about breast tenderness, backaches, breakouts, chocolate cravings, and cramps. Nowadays, my concern is how I will make it in the next few weeks. It is my hope that by sharing my and others' journeys, you will find some relief, and ideas, and feel better about perimenopause in general.
Until next time…stay hopeful!