Picture of Menopocalypse by Amanda Thebe

Before I received my cancer diagnosis, I kind of knew that menopause was the next big thing on the horizon.

I figured I’d add “learning about menopause” to my eventual to-do.

But then I started cancer treatment and one of the many fun parts is that it forced my body into menopause.

So, here I am. And time to read up.

First off- Menopocalypse (Amanda Thebe) is a GREAT book. I think anyone with an estrogen-based metabolism should pick it up. This is also the book inspiring this post.

Second, here is the minimum information I want you all to have as you head into your perimenopausal years:

1) “Menopause” is actually an arbitrary point in time.

It happens 12 months after your last period. On average, this occurs during your 40s or 50s.

Most of the joys (–> symptoms) of menopause are actually associated with perimenopause. Perimenopause is the runway to menopause when your hormones are starting to shift. It can start as early as 35 and lasts for 8-10 years.

You can still get your period during perimenopause and you can still become pregnant.

2) Common symptoms associated with perimenopause:

  • Irregular periods
  • Incontinence
  • Depression
  • Vaginal Dryness
  • Hot Flashes
  • Sleep Problems
  • Batshit crazy mood changes
  • Changes in breast size (in either direction)
  • Short-term memory loss
  • Night sweats
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue
  • Anxiety
  • Loss of sex drive or the opposite
  • Bloating and flatulance

There’s stuff you can do about a lot of these!

3) Most OB-GYNs do not receive training in menopause.

(Sound familiar?)

If you want a gynecologist trained in management of menopause-related symptoms, there’s a directory of appropriately trained physicians at menopause.org.

If you think you’re starting to experience symptoms of menopause, it seems a good idea to find yourself a provider that knows what to do with them.

So obviously there’s a lot more to the menopause story– this is a short and sweet Cliffs Notes to put perimenopause on your radar.

At a minimum, I want for you to know WHEN you might start experiencing symptoms, WHAT those symptoms are and WHO is qualified to treat them.

And PS: you can absolutely be postpartum and perimenopausal.

Is this new-to-you information? Or, are you already in the throws of the perimenopause roller coaster? Share in the comments!

Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to follow the link and make a purchase. Please understand that I recommend these products because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to purchase one. The commission is just a perk of sharing good information with people who appreciate it and it does help support this blog (thanks in advance!). Please do not spend any money on any of these items unless you feel they will enrich your home workout experience.

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