As a fellow woman and an expert in the field of perimenopause, I, Liat Nadler, understand the unique challenges we face during this transition. I’m a dietitian and lifestyle coach from the empowering organization, Fabulous Healing Nutrition & Wellness, located in Portland, Oregon.

Unraveling the Mysteries of Perimenopause

Perimenopause is like a long winding bridge, painstakingly headed towards menopause, a time when our bodies put a stop to the monthly menstrual cycle. This bridge can be as short as 2 years or stretch out to a decade. During this journey, our bodies transform in ways such as:

• Unpredictable ovulation
• Reduced estrogen and other hormones
• Diminished fertility
• Erratic and shorter menstrual cycles

Behind the Scenes of Perimenopause

Perimenopause is a natural event in our lives, born from the gentle slowing down of our ovaries. As ovulation becomes less consistent and eventually stops, our menstrual cycles also get a bit off rhythm before finally calling it a day.

The signs of perimenopause come from our hormone levels doing a delicate dance. When estrogen spikes, you might feel like you’re in a never-ending PMS episode. But when estrogen throttles, you might succumb to hot flashes or night sweats. These hormone swings throw off our normal cycles and rhythms.

Spotting the Markers of Perimenopause

No two of us will have the same perimenopause journey. But there are a few negative signs that are more consistent than others.

• Mood swings
• Altered sexual desire
• Difficulty concentrating
• Headaches
• Night sweats
• Hot flashes
• Vaginal dryness
• Sleep problems
• Achy joints and muscles
• Heavy sweating
• Frequent urination
• PMS-like symptoms

These symptoms can seem like other conditions, so it’s always a good idea to chat with your healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis.

Decoding Perimenopause

Diagnosing perimenopause isn’t always straightforward. Your symptoms, age, medical history, and a physical exam can help your healthcare provider make sense of what’s happening. You might also need blood tests to check your hormone levels.

Managing Perimenopause Gracefully

Perimenopause treatment is about optimizing your life, and improving your day to day quality.

Some common but often unnecessary approaches are:

• Hormone therapy with estrogen or a mix of estrogen and progestins to help balance hormone levels.

• Antidepressants to help keep your mood steady.

Natural alternatives exist to not only mitigate perimenopause symptoms, but also live your best life include:

• Nourishing your body with a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Getting 1,000-1,200 mg of calcium each day through your diet or supplements.
• Moving your body regularly.
• Keeping track of what triggers your hot flashes, such as alcohol, coffee, or tea.

If you’re considering alternative therapies to ease symptoms, make sure your reach out for a consultation.

Various herbs and supplements are also critical. While not mainstream, they are the most sincere way to heal from within, as opposed to masking the symptoms with other medications, or supplementing with caffeine to hide your tiredness.

Perimenopause at a Glance

• Perimenopause is the prelude to menopause when our ovaries gradually slow down.
• It’s a natural process that brings about physical and emotional changes.
• It doesn’t need treatment unless symptoms are giving you a hard time.
• Treatment includes hormones, antidepressants, and lifestyle adjustments.

Preparing for a Consultation

Here are a few tips to make the most of your visit:

• Understand the purpose of your visit and what you hope to get out of it.
• Write down any questions you have ahead of time.
• Consider bringing a friend or loved one along to help you remember everything.
• Jot down any new diagnoses, medications, treatments, tests, or instructions.
• Understand why a new medication or treatment has been suggested and what it will do for you.
• Ask about other ways your condition can be treated.
• Understand why a test or procedure has been recommended and what the results might mean.
• If you need to come back for a follow-up appointment, note down the date, time, and reason.
• Understand how you can contact your healthcare provider if you have any more questions.

Perimenopause is a natural part of our life journey as women, but it doesn’t mean you have to remain feeling lost, or worse – hopeless. By embracing this challenge during our consultation and facing it head-on, we can redefine it as a period of growth and positive change, moving forward with strength, wisdom, and an unwavering spirit of resilience. Remember, you are not alone in this journey, and with the right guidance and support, you are more than equipped to navigate the ebb and flow of this season of life.