Perimenopause can feel like a wild ride! As our bodies start to transition towards the end of our reproductive years, it’s normal to experience some changes. For example, hot flashes that make you feel like you’re starring in your own personal firework show, night sweats that make you feel like you’re living in a sauna, mood swings that have you feeling like a yo-yo, and sleep disturbances that make you feel like a vampire.
But don’t stress, there are things we can do to make this journey a little less bumpy. First and foremost, focus on self care. Eat a healthy and balanced diet, get regular exercise, and avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. These healthy habits can help improve overall health, reduce stress, and improve sleep.
Speaking to a Healthcare Provider about Peri/Menopause
Your Healthcare Provider can help to rule out any underlying medical conditions that could be contributing to your symptoms, and also discuss with you the benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT can help replace the lost estrogen and progesterone, which can help reduce hot flashes, night sweats, and other symptoms.
Complementary and alternative therapies can also be beneficial in managing perimenopause symptoms.
Strength training, yoga, meditation, and mindfulness can help to reduce hot flashes and night sweats.
Acupuncture, herbal supplements, and other forms of alternative medicine can also be helpful in reducing symptoms.
It’s also important to find ways to manage stress during perimenopause, as stress can exacerbate many symptoms. Find activities to do that make you happy!
Getting enough sleep is important for managing perimenopause symptoms, so its good to establish a regular sleep routine, avoid caffeine and alcohol before bedtime, and avoid using electronic devices in the bedroom.
Finally, it’s important to remember that perimenopause is a normal part of the aging process and that many women will find that their symptoms eventually improve or disappear completely over time.
So, let’s take this journey one step at a time, and remember that we got this!