The Emotional Toll of Perimenopause

Perimenopause. We all thought it was the time before the chaos hit. Peri = pre. Right?

Nope. For me it was quite literally when the ground beneath me started to shift.

It began in my mid 30’s after I was through having babies. Was it just the normal stress of trying to keep it all together? Three littles under 5, a busy job, a marriage that needed attention.

It was just life hitting, right?

Well…maybe. But also I am certain I was in perimenopause and didn’t have the education or knowledge to identify what was happening to me and why.

Perimenopause is the transitional period before menopause (last period). It’s when our hormone levels fluctuate and our menstrual cycles begin to change as our ovaries gradually produce less estrogen.

Women typically enter this phase in their mid 40s but here’s the kicker…we know that women can enter perimenopause as early as their 30’s.

According to a new study published npj Women’s Health, over half (!!) of females ages 30 to 35 experience moderate to severe perimenopause symptoms.

The study shows the majority of perimenopausal females do not seek treatment for their symptoms.

Why?

The authors noted that perimenopausal females, as well as their doctors, often believe they are too young to be in perimenopause, so they dismiss their symptoms.

Women in perimenopause were more likely to experience psychological symptoms like depression, irritability and anxiety.

What’s interesting though, these mood changes tended to occur before the onset of any of the physical symptoms of perimenopause.

You can see how easy it is to chalk up anxiety, depression and irritability to the simple stressors of life. When in fact, perimenopause is often a major contributor.

If neither women nor their practitioners are menopause-literate, they may very well fly under the radar, left untreated.

Which brings me back to the importance of advocating for your health as a woman.

It’s essential, as women, that we understand what happens to our bodies during this seismic shift. Know the signs, where to find qualified menopause practitioners and how to become your biggest health cheerleader.

And if you need a little help…I’m always here to coach you through the chaos. 💗