How To Handle The First Symptoms Of The Menopause Transition

Let me start by saying I am not a doctor, physician or certified to give professional opinions on health care. I am a 40 plus momma that’s just sharing my thoughts, views and experiences.

There are a few topics that weren’t discussed when I was growing up and have had the lightbulb go off as an adult now….bit this perimenopause stuff is one for the books!!!

It’s funny to see and hear women’s reactions when I mention the perimenopausal symptoms I am experiencing during these interesting times with my body. They give me a look as if I’m speaking a language they don’t know or just look at me like I’m from a different planet. The “you’re too young to go through that” comments are nice, I appreciate them, but I ain’t no spring chicken and I just want to know and understand these changes! I’m an over 40 momma trying to make it through all the transitions with my body internally and externally while keeping my ish together and holding down the house.

Another thing about beginning this perimenopausal stage is that it’s a hard reality to the coming of realization the baby shop is closing up. One thing I’ve learned over the years is that not everyone wants to share the challenges, the disappointments, difficulties and emotional hurdles. My journey with my husband is nothing short of amazing and I am so blessed that he loves my son as if it was his own and has been the rock that provides for us unconditionally. I also am aware that I am not the only woman that has struggled to try and conceive, so I am very sensitive when it even comes to touching on this topic.

Recently Oprah Winfrey and Maria Shriver came out to discuss normalizing menopause and the side affects it comes with (besides the hot flashes). Let me tell you when I read this article on the Today Show I was so relieved and just felt seen. There’s nothing worse than not understanding when your body is going through something and you’re frustrated to only have others dismiss your changes as if you are not having them.

There are a ton of articles that talk about common symptoms of perimenopause and menopause and it’s insane all the changes us women have to go through! As if we don’t already go through enough before and after child birth right! Aside from hot flashes, irregular periods, loss of memory, lack of concentration….there’s also bone loss, mood changes, vaginal and blade issues, and cholesterol changes. Whew child this is just too much and too overwhelming to even process!

Random fact I read in this one article was that perimenopause can go between 4 to 8 years!!! You have got to be kidding me! I am not only praying for me, but the boys in the house that have to deal with this too hahaha!

The one good thing about the internet is that you can research just about anything! Here’s one on how to cope with perimenopause and menopause and here’s just one of them I found interesting with some little nuggets I have kept in mind.

At the end of the day, there is no right or wrong way to deal with perimenopause and menopause, every woman’s body is different and we are going to handle things very differently. At this point in my life what I try to do is explain that I don’t even understand it, and when I find myself struggling, I give a gentle reminder to the ones I love to be gentle with me because that’s what I need most when going through something new for the very first time. It’s not always easy, but for whatever reasons these were the cards us women were dealt, so we will just have to learn how to play the game along the way!

A Few Tips On How To Cope:

1. Exercise
2. Cut back on alcohol
3. Make sure to incorporate a multi-vitamin and calcium in your diet
4. Lots of fruits and veggies!
5. Try to get consistent rest and sleep
6. Try stress relieving techniques