What I wish I’d known about Perimenopause
My mum went through the menopause at the age of 41. Today, I’m 43. Women’s cycling years (periods) generally mimic or mothers, unless your on hormonal birth control that is. Perimenopause symptoms typically start 3-7 years before you transition into menopause, so it’s likely that I went straight from being postnatal with my son (born when I was 36) into perimenopause.
So, before my perimenopause journey began, what do I wish I’d known . . .
That the symptoms of menopause start before menopause! And that this is called perimenopause. I knew my menopause experience was likely to be earlier than a lot of my friends, but I didn’t know that you got any symptoms before your periods stopped so I wasn’t expecting them in my late 30’s.
That this isn’t something that happens to “old ladies with grey hair” and all they you experience are hot flashes! This stereotypical image of a menopausal women doesn’t fit my experience at all, and that scared me and made me doubt my own experience time and time again. If this is you, I feel for you, but do not doubt yourself- trust those instincts!
The word perimenopause and what it means, What is Perimenopause? — Deaville Yoga I’d never heard it before.
it would have been so useful to know how to recognise that all the symptoms I was experiencing in my late 30’s were perimenopause. Not knowing this left me feeling lost and confused by what was happening to my body physically and emotionally.
That I wasn’t going mad. I felt like I was when I was feeling anxious, crying for no reason or flying into periods of rage. That actually all of this was as a result of hormonal changes, and that there was a whole wealth of things I could do to support myself was amazing to learn. Hormonal changes during Perimenopause — Deaville Yoga
Anything about what was going on with my body hormonally. This actually goes for my whole hormonal cycle, from periods starting, through 2 pregnancies and now in my perimenopausal years. The Hormone Repair Manual by Lara Briden and the Menopause Brain by Dr Lisa Mosconi, are two great books for understanding the science behind these vitally important changes My top perimenopause books and why — Deaville Yoga
How important it would be to having a community of women also going through perimenopause to support, laugh and cry with me - I wish I’d known in those lonely hours awake in the night that I would form a community of women who really understood what I was going through and would see and respect me for who I am today. And tomorrow. And in a years time when I’ve changed again.
The power of the word no. I wish I’d learnt this sooner. I now proiritise saying say no to others and yes to myself.
That I don’t need to uphold any standards when it come to my yoga practice. I can accept that my body simply doesn’t enjoy certain poses any more. I can meet my body where it is today.
That also, despite all the hardships, the anxiety, depression, rage and disillusionment. That I would, with the right support and knowledge, learn to absolutely love this transition. Books like Second Spring by Kate Cordrington and Wise Power, The Red School, were a huge part of this evolution for me. My top perimenopause books and why — Deaville Yoga
I hope this blog and my others will reach hundreds of women, so that they can start to gain the knowledge they need to enjoy their perimenopause, so please do forward this onto the women in your life who may need this.
Also, get in touch, let me know, what do you wish you’d known before you entered perimenopause? Please let me know in the comments below.
Together lets live our best Peri HOW, Happier, Older, Wiser.
Love and hugs,
Heather*