Contrary to what you may be thinking right now, this post is not meant to freak you out, or make you fall into a series of depression-induced, Ben and Jerry’s-related brain freezes. Nope. This information is GOOD to know. Women in their thirties are not thinking about menopause yet, even though perimenopause (the 6-10 years before menopause) can begin as early as 35 years old. Come to mama. I’m here to help.
Perimenopause is the stage of your life that is, unfortunately, home to most of the symptoms we associate with menopause. Menopause is simply defined by the absence of your period for 12 consecutive months. Period. Perimenopause precedes this.
Rapid egg decline (this is what I like to call it) goes like this: fertility is highest between the ages of 18-22. Once you reach 30 years old, it begins to decline. At 35, it has gone down sharply. By the time you reach 40 years old, only about 40% of women are able to conceive without medical intervention.1 Why is this? Because by the time you reach 40, your body is gearing up for perimenopause, if it isn’t already there. Hormones are changing, and your reproductive system has begun spring cleaning. This is why many women over the age of 40 choose to adopt their babies.
So, how do you know if you’re in perimenopause? What are some symptoms that you can expect from being in this stage of your life? Brace yourself: the answers aren’t all that pretty...
MENTAL/EMOTIONAL
- memory lapses (sticky notes aplenty) overly sensitive uncontrollable crying unusually depressed or withdrawn overall sense that I’m not OK tense (like a rubber band ready to snap) overwhelmed anxious irritable bursts of anger violent low sex drive
PHYSICAL
- oddly dry skin headaches/migraines
- exhausted hair loss PMS-like bloating sore or ballooning breasts increased chin whiskers deepening voice pimples galore hot flashes or flushes night drenches sleepless nights heart palpitations weight gain (shrinking pants) stiffness, aches, and pains bladder issues vaginal infections excessive vaginal discharge breakthrough vaginal bleeding dry vagina (sex hurts) harder to reach orgasm
- On the plus side of things, women rarely experience all of these symptoms. (Thank you, Mother Nature!) Some women glide right through perimenopause without even realizing they’re in it. Just know that if you feel like you’re going crazy, you begin to experience weird issues that make you scour the web, late at night, searching for solutions, and you’re between the ages of 35-45, then you’re probably experiencing perimenopause to some extent, and this is normal. Your friends may not admit it, but they’re probably going through it too. The best advice I can give you in these early stages of transition, is to gather your girlfriends (otherwise known as The Sisterhood), and talk. Help yourself and them out by facilitating some perimenopause communication. You’ll all be glad you did.
What’s that? You’re so happy to have found this awesome information that you feel the need to jump up and down and cheer for all to hear? Why not host a menopause party! They’re all the rage- and rage is indeed part of perimenopause…
Want to know more about the perimenopause and menopause (PM&M) experience?Pick up a copy of Shmirshky: the pursuit of hormone happiness, the first book on menopause of its kind.
Remember: Reaching out is IN! Suffering in silence is OUT!
If you’re confused, chances are your friends are, too.
Ellen Dolgen is a Health and Wellness Advocate, Menopause Awareness Expert, Author, Speaker, and
health blogger.
Ellen
is the author of Shmirshky:
The Pursuit of Hormone Happiness -- a cut-to-the-chase book on
perimenopause and menopause that's filled with crucial information, helpful
guides, and hilarious and heartfelt stories. Known for her humor, compassion,
and sassy personality, Ellen has appeared on numerous television and radio
broadcasts, including: the Rachael Ray Show, The Doctors, Oprah Radio, Playboy
Radio, “Tell Me More" on NPR, Doctor Radio, and dozens of other regional
and national media outlets. Ellen is a frequent guest on the popular radio
show, "Broadminded," on Sirius XM Radio (Stars XM 107) and is a
regular contributor on Huff/Post 50 along with blogging for many leading
women’s health sites. Ellen has dedicated herself to women’s wellness through a
wide breadth of activities ranging from being a founding board member of the
UCSD Student Wellness Center, working with pharmaceutical companies in helping
them to effectively address women’s health needs, serving on hospital advisory
boards, and advocating for cardiovascular health.
Ellen’s
motto is: Reaching out is IN! Suffering in silence is OUT!
For
more from Ellen Dolgen:
Visit
her at EllenDolgen.com
and subscribe to her Menopause Mondays newsletter.
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