Perimenopause . . . if you are like most people, you have no idea what this is.  Perimenopause – or premenopause – is a season in a woman’s life where she experiences major hormonal imbalances prior to menopause that cause symptoms that mimic menopause.  It can occur as early as age 25, but is most common in women age 35 and older. Symptoms of perimenopause can begin as early as 10–15 years before menses completely stop. Women in their late 30’s, 40’s and early 50’s may transition in and out of a perimenopausal state many times before they finally enter menopause. Not all women will go through perimenopause, but many will.  Symptoms include (although you may not be experiencing all of them) hotflashes, mood swings, feelings of depression, feeling overwhelmed, irritability, anxiety, irregular periods, heavy bleeding, fatigue, sleep disruption (insomnia or restlessness,) headaches, dry eyes, vaginal changes (dryness), hair loss, unwanted hair growth, weight gain, loss of libido, extreme emotional distress, fuzzy thinking, heart palpitations, breast pain, PMS, digestive issues, stiffness or joint pain, adult acne, urinary dysfunction, dry skin, fibroids, and cravings for sweets or carbs.  After reading these symptoms, you may be relieved to know that you are not going crazy and it’s not just in your head.  Your body is trying to tell you something.  Unfortunately much has not been known about perimenopause until recent years, which has caused many women to go through this stage of their life thinking they were losing it, and even more of them winding up on antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications unnecessarily.

The symptoms caused by the hormonal imbalance can be easily controlled and brought into balance naturally through:

1.  phytotherapy (herbal remedies) that address all 3 hormones involved:  estrogen, testosterone and progesterone.

• Black Cohosh, Red Clover, and Kudzu form a powerful and synergistic isoflavone–glycoside complex that diminishes symptoms associated with estrogen deficiency, like hot flashes and night sweats.
• Passionflower, Chasteberry, and Wild Yam are botanicals that have been used by traditional cultures to treat symptoms like irritability, anxiety, and insomnia. Recent studies show that the flavonoids in these herbs may mimic the actions of progesterone.
• Ashwagandha is an Ayurvedic herb known to have aphrodisiac and mood-stabilizing properties. Recent studies suggest it activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, influencing production of androgens in an adaptogenic fashion.

These are only a handful that are common in treating perimenopause symptoms and balancing hormones.  For example, sepia and kali phosphoricum are excellent in treating anxiety, nervousness and irritability as well.

2.  nutritional and diet changes. In addition to phytotherapy, you must be taking a high end pharmaceutical grade multivitamin daily, like Pure Encapsulations Nutrient 950 Take a B complex daily to guard against stress and for cellular function and circulation.  Vitamin C with bioflavanoids is necessary as is Vitamin E, and Omega Oils.  You need at least 600 mg daily of DHAs and EPAs and you can take up to 3,000 daily.  Be sure to include a good Omega supplement daily (like Pure Encapsulations’ Tri-EFA or BioPharmaScientific’s NanOmega)as well as they help form the synapses in the brain among other things.  Last, but not least on the vitamin side, take your calcium/magnesium daily.  Deficiencies in calcium and magnesium alone can cause insomnia.  Make sure you are eating protein every time you eat.  When you wake in the morning, be sure to eat breakfast within the first hour.  Foods to minimize are simple carbs, alcohol, and sugar.  Foods to eliminate are white, processed sugar, flour, pasta, etc.  Just know that these types of foods can and will make your symptoms worse.  Increase your greens (veggies) and fruits intake to 5 servings or more daily.  If this is too difficult try a green supplement like one that we sell, NanoGreens from BioPharmaScientific.  Finally, water, water, water.  Keep drinking the water – and make sure it is pure, filtered water too.

3.  and lifestyle changes that include de-stressing, exercising and sleeping regularly. It is important, if you want to ever feel “normal” again, that you start taking care of yourself.  Getting exercise daily is a must for you now.  It will help get you back on track and will give your body a great stress outlet.  Make sure any vigorous exercise is done early in the day.  If you wish to exercise in the evening, go for a relaxing walk.  Just know  that vigorous exercise, though good for you, if done too late in the day, will release too much of the hormone cortisol and you wont have ample time in the day to deal with it.  You will go to bed with that extra cortisol running through your body, which does do damage to your cells.  If you  haven’t been exercising, then start off with a daily morning and evening walk.  Make the morning walk more brisk and the evening walk more relaxed.  You will be surprised at how much this alone will improve your overall sense of well being and mood.  Also, take time for you.  If you are feeling like you are rushing too much, then slow down.  Who cares if you are late?  Really.  Your health is more important.  You may not get as much accomplished as you are used to, but you will feel better, and your body and your mind will love you for it.  On the days when you feel like you can, then get more done.  On the days when you can’t don’t.  And don’t feel guilty either.  Tell yourself that it is okay for people to be disappointed.  Throw your hands up in the air, smile and say, “Oh well.”  Seriously, this is good medicine to keep you sane during this transitional time.  Make sure you get a good night’s sleep.  Try drinking sleepytime tea and taking your last dose of calcium/magnesium at bedtime.  Finally, take life lighter, laugh more, watch comedy, dance, light candles, listen to salsa music or oldies, breathe lavender (seriously,) let your kids have fun, lighten the load a bit, don’t be so uptight about the house and your “normal” routine or obligations.  My best advise here is to force yourself to sing during the day.  Sing and laugh.  It will seriously release much healing endorphins and boost your overall mood.  Remember, this life is a gift.  Do what you can to savor it.  Live and live well.

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