Perimenopause 101
What is perimenopause?
Perimenopause and menopause also known as “The change” has for decades had negative connotations, but thankfully that seems to be changing! Unfortunately, the symptoms and impacts on a woman’s life are often dismissed or not well understood during this time.
It is important to remember that menopause is a long-term hormone deficiency and given the life expectancy has increased, women can expect to spend 1/3 of their lives post-menopausal. Gaining a deep understanding of perimenopause and learning about the physical, emotional, and hormonal changes and how they can impact your daily life is crucial.
Understanding the effective strategies you have available and having the choice on your health and well-being is something everyone should have access too, especially women going through perimenopause.
Menopause is a long-term hormone deficiency
Knowing what practical tips and techniques you have to manage common symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, insomnia, increasing belly fat can help alleviate discomfort and improve your overall well-being.
There are numerous effective strategies you can use through diet, exercise, supplements and other hormonal options can help manage your symptoms.
The use of the term perimenopause is referred to more frequently and ‘peri’ just means ‘around’ – so around the time of the menopause.
“Menopause is just one point in time and is actually a retrospective diagnosis”
Once you have not had a period in 12 months and 1 day you are in menopause. Once that day has passed you then become post-menopausal.
Female reproductive health can be spilt into four stages:
1. Pre-menopause- Time of your life before any menopausal symptoms occur.
2. Perimenopause- describes the time of life when your periods begin to change and you start to have one or more menopausal symptoms.
3. Menopause- When you do not have a period for 12 consecutive months.
4. Post-menopause – The time of your life after you have not had a period for 12 months.
How do I know if I am going through the menopause?
The average age of menopause is 52 in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Most women can start having symptoms of perimenopause at around age 45-55 years old. But these symptoms can occur up to 10 years before your periods finally stop.
However, it is important to note that 1 in 20 women between the age of 40-45 will go through what is known as early menopause.
Current data also shows that 1 in 100 women will go through menopause before age 40 which is known as Premature ovarian insufficiency.
“Changes to your periods are often a first indicator that you may be going through perimenopause”
For a list of symptoms associated with perimenopause, see my other blog post below or click here
It can be useful to track symptoms over a few months so you are able to see patterns or if certain symptoms are getting worse.
This can also be very useful to identify what areas in your life you may need extra support to lessen the symptoms, or to take this information to your Doctor to discuss your symptoms further.
Is there a test?
Unfortunately, there is no test for diagnosing perimenopause.
If you are over 45 and have some of the symptoms, this is often enough for your doctor to give you a diagnosis.
If you are under 45, your doctor will want to run some additional tests to ensure it is not your thyroid or another underlying condition.
This is why it is important to track how you are feeling and become in tune with your body.
Increased health risks
They are an increase in health risks when you go through perimenopause & menopause. That is why it is super important to support yourself and your future health as best you can now, so that you can continue to live a healthy, active life in later life.
Health risks due to menopause:
Increased risk of osteoporosis- 1 in 2 women over age of 50 will be affected
5 times more likely to have a heart attack
Increased risk of stroke
Type 2 diabetes
Can increase cholesterol
Perimenopause workshop
Are you tired of struggling with the physical and emotional challenges of perimenopause? Do hot flashes, mood swings, and sleepless nights disrupt your daily life?
If you're ready to gain a deep understanding of perimenopause: Learn about the physical, emotional, and hormonal changes that occur during perimenopause, get practical tips and techniques to manage common symptoms and learn how to make positive lifestyle changes that can alleviate discomfort and improve your overall well-being.
I have designed a 2-hour in person workshop to provide you with practical solutions and insights into navigating this transitional phase of your life.
If you would like to know more, click here for all the information.
I look forward to supporting you on your hormonal health journey.
