Menopause Is Not an Overnight Event
If you have ovaries you will go through menopause eventually. When your ovaries start to rest after many years of working so hard on maintaining your cycle, (it is a well earned retirement,) you will experience the symptoms of the beginning of the perimenopause journey that ends with “menopause”.
Simply put, menopauses is the time when you don’t have to worry about when you will have your period, what you can or can’t do during these days, have sex freely without contraception, Sounds liberating, right?
Why do so many women dread the word and the transition? Perhaps because some of us believe our value is measured by our ability to be child bearing bodies. Others think menopause is a sign of getting old, losing your sexy features and ability to enjoy sex. In which group are you?
If you are experiencing any of the perimenopause symptoms, either physical, like irregular periods, mood changes, changes in sleep patterns, vaginal and/or bladder problems, fatigue, night sweats, osteoporosis, hot flashes, or sweating, etc..or mental symptoms such as; memory lapses, feeling overly sensitive, unusually depressed or withdrawn or anxious, irritable, etc… don’t panic.
You should know these are all expected symptoms of the hormonal changes that your body is experiencing. Millions of women worldwide are experiencing similar challenges, but there are no two women who have the same exact symptoms or are experiencing these symptoms the same way.
As I mentioned in my first paragraph, perimenopause is a journey, not an event. This journey can take from six to ten years. If a woman has very brief symptoms , it could be due to some personal factors , or because her symptoms were very mild that and passed undiagnosed.
Now, you have some symptoms, you googled it and you think it may me be perimenopause… what to do:
- Find a healthcare provider specializing in perimenopause, find another if you don’t click with the first one. Working with a provider who is understanding, approachable and open to different modalities of treatment, acknowledges the role of diet and spirituality on the journey, is crucial.
- Educate yourself about the journey, there are so many resources to help you. If you prefer to get your knowledge from books, here is an excellent list: https://www.healthline.com/health/menopause/best-menopause-books-of-the-year
- If you prefer blogs, I’m sure you will find one you like on this list, personally, I like Ellen Dolgen’s but you may like another: https://www.healthline.com/health/menopause/best-blogs-of-the-year#1
- Connect with women on the same journey who have a positive outlook and resourceful approach.
- After all that, if you still have any questions, or just need a listener or support, email me, I will gladly reach out to you and help you to the best of my ability. I do that for free resource, holding the hand of any climber on this life path.