Have you noticed your body changing lately? You workout as you always have, fuel your body with healthy foods, but you feel like your a little softer all over and perhaps your clothes don't fit like they used to. So you think, "Maybe I need to workout more and eat less?" I am here to tell you, THIS IS NOT THE ANSWER!!

Perimenopause and beyond is a transition period in life similar to puberty.  As we begin puberty and start our cycle, changes in our bodies (and mood) begin to occur as our hormones ramp up.  In perimenopause, as we begin the menopause transition, our hormones hop on the rollercoaster ride, then begin to decline and our cycle (and mood) become erratic and will eventually stop!  My goal as a Menopause Specialist is to normalize the menopause transition and empower women to be advocates for themselves.  

Ladies, did you know perimenopause can begin in our mid 30s and last for many years until you reach menopause, which is 1 specific day of the year after you've gone 12 full months since your last period.  Everything beyond that date is considered post-menopause.

The symptoms we experience in perimenopause can feel overwhelming, but they're also a sign that your body is changing and preparing for a new phase of life.  It's important to keep a positive mindset during this time and embrace the changes, as this doesn't have to be a negative experience.

Here are a few signs to look out for (all of which I've experienced):

🌙 Trouble sleeping and restless nights

🔥 Hot flashes or night sweats

❣️Heart palpitations

📉 Low energy or feeling easily fatigued

🎢 Mood swings, irritability, or increased anxiety

💔 Irregular periods or changes in flow

🧠 Brain fog or trouble concentrating

💪Achy muscles and joint pain

👁️Dry Eyes and dry skin

🌵Vaginal Dryness

The list continues 😔. Many “mystery symptoms” we experience in our bodies can be related to perimenopause. But, you don't have to SUFFER IN SILENCE! I want to create a community of compassion where we can share our experiences and work through them together! There are so many things we can do to help mitigate the changes we all might experience.