Perimenopause - and National Menopause Day
Halle Berry on Menopause https://www.facebook.com/share/r/GynopVVFTX5ZtvmG/
Perimenopause symptoms can start at age 35 (!!). (Look out Swifties ;) ) My symptoms started in my early 40s ... and this 5-10 year timeframe IS NO JOKE. It is REAL, and it can be HEAVY. It can be unsettling at best, and at our lowest, can lead to the emergency room for some of us. Those who experience medical menopause (thru surgery for example) experience these symptoms acutely, rather than over years' time.
All this to say, my perimenopausal friends -- what you're going through is REAL. And most doctors have no idea what to do with us. On one hand, it's not their fault -- literally, women have only become major parts of medical studies in the last TWO DECADES. Centuries of research, done mostly on men, so how can we expect our doctors to know what's up with us?
On the other hand, society has stigmatized the "aging woman" rather than take the time and effort to study and understand her. Whether we are relegated to terms like "difficult," "crazy," "fragile," "old," "dried up," or (insert your favorite here) ... society dismisses an entire TREASURE TROVE of women and women's wisdom that has been hard-won through the years of perimenopause and beyond.
Do not be silent about where you are and what you are experiencing, Women. I know, for me, this has been tough ... especially at the onset of what I now know was the beginning of perimenopause -- when estradiol is withdrawing, causing a cascade of reactions and recalibrations in the body, from mental to digestive to muscular and more. To admit that I was TIRED -- and cancel a multitude of commitments. To admit to middle-of-the-night panic attacks, heart palpitations, night sweats, depression/anxiety ... seemingly out of NOWHERE. To admit that I needed SUPPORT -- whether from my husband, or from practitioners who understand this time of life and are doing the work to educate women.
The average age of residents in Fayette County is around 50 years old. And if we guesstimate that 45-50% or more of our local residents are WOMEN -- well, there's a GOOD CHANCE that many of us are in perimenopause or beyond menopause right now.
So, the next time you're with your girlfriends, I bet if you bring up the topic you'll open a meaningful conversation. A conversation that will likely lead to more. I'm always open to conversation, because I'm still learning, stumbling through & growing through it all ... Or, if you identify as male -- maybe the next time a woman in your life is having a rough time -- maybe change the narrative. Maybe honor the fact that you have NO IDEA what she's going through, and that science / education / society has little idea either -- and that maybe SHE is the expert on her experience right now. And you can support her journey.
If you're talking with your medical professional -- on the one hand, we can find compassion that they have not been educated about women's health unless it's their specialty. On the other hand, we can commit to not taking bullshit answers or non-answers. Too many times I've been told, "Oh it's just stress ..." or "Well, your numbers look fine, so you must be fine ..." (anyone else? ✋) NOT OKAY. We are 50% of the population ... let's push for more education.
Resources that can lead to further learning & empowerment:
Dr. Stacy Sims
Red School
Dr Vonda Wright
Hailey Happens Fitness