Hi Gals,
Thought I'd start writing a blog on my website 🤷🏻♀️ instead of in my newsletter emails, cause I know that your inbox gets clogged up. So if you've found yourself here thank you I hope you get some value out of my topics.
In light of me recently turning 42 on the weekend and being international Menopause Day on the 18th of October (BTW Fem21 was a sponsor at the Prevention Magazine event with Michelle Bridges that day so that was pretty special). I thought I'd talk about Peri-menopause, the time leading up to that fateful day of menopause which is the 12 month anniversary of your period saying bye.
Women can enter peri-menopause from the age of 38 and it can last up until 55. This is the time frame prior to menopause and it's like going through puberty again but in reverse and probably about 10 times worse as a lot of things can go haywire in the body.
I love that women are being more open about sharing their experiences and symptoms which can sometimes be a bit weird!
According to the Mayo Clinic these are some of the symptoms of perimenopause:
- irregular periods
- hot flushes
- sleeping problems
- mood changes
- weight gain
- vaginal problems including dryness and changes in the vaginal microbiome
- decreasing fertility
- changes in sexual function (lowered drive, sometimes discomfort)
- changes in bone density
- increase in cholesterol
I would also add to this list:
- brain fog
- fatigue
- anxiety
- skin changes
- hair changes including thinning, slow to grow, brittleness and umm obvious one grey hairs!
- generalised pain, joint pain & muscle pain / stiffness
So I would recommend if your ticking a few of these symptoms off the list, check with your GP for some blood tests to see how you're tracking hormonally. Best time to test is day 2-3 of your period, as you'll be at your baseline for oestrogen. If it's super low then you may be looking down the lens of menopause. Another time to test is (if you can pin point ovulation) in the middle of your luteal phase or roughly a week after ovulation. At this time in your cycle it's good to check progesterone levels as well.
We often think of declining oestrogen as the main problem during perimenopause but progesterone levels also play a big part along with the interplay of our adrenal glands, thyroid and nutrient levels (especially magnesium, zinc, omega's, vitamin D, iron and B vitamins).
Good news is that Fem21 can help. I recently had a patient who is now 52, and she told me that at 42 she was about to go through early menopause with all signs and symptoms. She got onto Fem21 just after I first launched it and it got her hormones back on track. She continued to have a healthy period for another 9 nearly 10 years. Then at 52 her period stopped naturally as she entered into the final stage of menopause, we've started her on a double dose of Fem21 and some other support like maca, magnesium, b vitamins and zinc to support this final transition.
Know that menopause is a natural phase that all women go through, however if you're feeling like the perimenopausal phase is hitting you hard or early (especially if you're between 38-46) and you're not feeling your best then know there is help out there. Ensure that you're supporting yourself holistically, not just looking at hormones but as the body as a whole. Looking at nutrient levels, adrenal function, thyroid and liver health.
Pull back on the things that stress the body more, like alcohol, caffeine and poor sleeping habits.
Do your smoothie daily with Fem21 & Maca, add in some magnesium and zinc at night before bed. Do a some exercise in the mornings. Eat a variety and make healthy, clean, good quality choices with food.
Trust that you are the best person to look after yourself, but you need support to do that. Whether that support comes from a health practitioner, friend, family or this blog!
Thank you for being here.
Meah x
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