Menopause. We know it’s coming. Eventually. Once we’re done being pregnant and having babies and breastfeeding, we can breathe a sigh of relief and relax in the knowledge that it’s smooth sailing until menopause comes knocking on the door sometime in the far off (really far off!) future. Right? Wait… RIGHT?
Maybe not so fast.
There’s this little thing called perimenopause, and while the symptoms can be quite different from woman to woman, it can really shake things up. The clincher about perimenopause is that it shows up BEFORE menopause. These bodies of ours like to keep us on our toes!
What is perimenopause?
Also known as menopause transition, perimenopause starts up in the years before menopause itself occurs. With the approach of menopause, the ovaries gradually start to produce less estrogen. While this typically happens when a woman reaches her 40s, it can also start in the 30s or even earlier. This stage of perimenopause will last until true menopause arrives and for some women, results in major changes.
According to CMB contributor Jen, a 43-year-old mother of two, “When I told my OBGYN at my yearly appointment that during some months, I had two periods, he looked at me, shrugged and said, ‘Yes, that might happen more often as you age. You’re perimenopausal.'”
Erm. Excuse me?
Like many of us, Jen thought menopause was something that would come screeching in – accompanied by the much-dreaded hot flashes – when she turned the corner to 50-years-old. In truth, the process is much more gradual.
What are some symptoms of perimenopause?
Changing feelings about sex – You might want it less. Or maybe, if you and your significant other are lucky, you’ll want it more! It’s different for every woman.
Irregular periods – Remember Jen, who we mentioned above? You might get more than one per month. You might skip a month. Hmph.
Hot flashes – This is probably the most notorious of all menopause symptoms. And we can see why! You go from fine and dandy and normal to feeling like you’re sitting on the surface of the sun and sweating from absolutely every pore. You might also experience night sweats, from which you’ll wake in a twist of damp sheets. Fun, huh?
Mood changes – Ah, moodiness. Can a mom ever escape mood swings? Between us and the kids, someone is always in a mood. Seriously, though, you might notice extreme mood swings that are out of character for you, increased irritability or even depression. These issues can be exacerbated if you’re suffering from sleep disruption.
Trouble sleeping – Remember how we mentioned hot flashes and mood swings? They can add up to some serious sleep disruption.
Osteoporosis – As estrogen levels decline, you begin to lose bone mass more quickly than you are replacing it. This change can lead to more fragile bones.
Vaginal and urinary problems – You may experience issues with loss of vaginal lubrication and elasticity, making intercourse painful. The tissues might also become less toned, which can cause urinary incontinence. (Well, since having kids, we haven’t been able to do jumping jacks or even sneeze without a little leakage, so what’s really new here?)
How do I deal with these symptoms?
All right, so, how can we make life more bearable if we’re dealing with these symptoms? For some tips, we turned to our friends at The Christ Hospital Health Network. Jennifer M. Demos-Bertrand, DO, specialist in Obstetrics & Gynecology, had great advice for handling some of the more annoying symptoms of perimenopause.
- Contributor Abby asked for Dr. Demos’ thoughts on the best vitamins/supplements to take.
According to Dr. Demos, food can actually help manage the symptoms. (Glory be! Healthy food for the win!) More specifically, foods that are rich in phytoestrogen, a natural estrogen, can supplement your body’s estrogen supply and ease the transition. So where do you find phytoestrogen? It’s abundant in soy products, whole grains and legumes and lignin-rich foods like flaxseeds, millet and barley. In addition to their use in managing perimenopausal symptoms, these foods are also nutrient-dense and can assist the body in resisting disease.
- Abby was also looking for tips on surviving the drenching night sweats.
Some of Dr. Demos’ thoughts included sleeping in cool, cotton pajamas, tucking an ice pack in your pillow case and having a fan blowing on you. (CMB Tip: If you don’t want the fan on all the time, consider strategically placing it within reach so you can turn it on when you wake up sweating.) If the night sweats are truly awful, Dr. Demos advises that hormones can help reduce them. Nutritionally, these foods in particular might help reduce hot flashes, night sweats and flushing: soy, millet, barley, flex seed, lentils, kidney beans, lima beans, rye, clover, fennel, chickpeas (garbanzo beans).
- Contributor Amy asked the question that so many women do as we age. Why all the weight gain despite exercise?
While we would have loved a magical answer that would allow us to eat what we like and not gain weight, unfortunately, that’s not the case.
Dr. Demos says, “As women age, metabolism slows! The cookie that didn’t matter five years ago may matter now. In terms of weight loss, 80% is diet,while only 20% is exercise. Exercise is great for heart and bone health and keeping your muscles strong, so it is definitely still important.”
While no one looks forward to bodily changes that make us uncomfortable, we can take comfort in the knowledge that we’re not alone in our hot flashes! But ladies, let’s not suffer in silence. Tell your doctor how you’re feeling – physically and mentally – and ask for help if you need it. Changes like this can cause real upheaval for moms who are busy taking care of everyone else. Take care of you, too!
At The Christ Hospital Health Network, their Women’s Health team treats thousands of women each year. Each one gets individualized care, no matter how common or how rare the condition.
For more information on The Christ Hospital Health Network, visit their web site or call 513-585-2000.
