The dreaded hormonal shift-perimenopause and menopause
‘I can’t control my moods; I feel like I’m going crazy; I’m constantly burning up; I cry at the drop of a hat; Am I normal’
I worked in a women’s health clinic who specialised in perimenopause and menopause for many years. I spoke to hundreds of women a week and although everyone’s experiences through this hormonal shift was different, there were also many similarities.
Like periods, perimenopause and menopause has hardly ever been spoken about. We never spoke about it with our mother’s or grandmothers which meant, we had no idea what they experienced and if what we experience is normal?
How long does it last, what are the symptoms, why do I feel like this, why did I feel normal last month and horrible this month? Are just a few questions I was asked on the daily basis. Peri-menopause is the start of the hormonal shift from fertility to the absence of periods. It is not a disease and there is nothing wrong with you. It is a normal progression through life and whether we like it or not, all women will experience it. Does it need to be a struggle? Definitely not and there are many options to assist you with this transition.
As when dealing with hormones, there is no steady state through perimenopause. Hormones are changing daily and you do feel like you’re on a rollercoaster of emotions and physical symptoms. Your sleep is deteriorating and so are your moods. It is all normal!
My approach when speaking to women of this age group is first and foremost, education. Spending the time to ensure you understand the intricate details of your body and what truly is happening. From there, we develop a plan that is realistic and achievable for you. I employ the use of herbal, nutritional and lifestyle medicine to aid you in your transition. Am I opposed to HRT? Put simply, no. Many women do require it and I have extensive knowledge in this area and can recommend some fantastic doctors who can assist you in this area while still working alongside their recommendations.
Don’t feel alone during this crazy transition. There is much that can be done.