Perimenopause is a topic that comes up more and more in my circle of friends as many of us enter our 40’s and 50’s. I thought it would be helpful to explain what perimenopause is and how to find perimenopause relief.
What is Perimenopause?
While menopause is technically when you have not had your period for a year, your body starts undergoing changes as early as your 30’s and these changes may not stop until you are well into your 50’s. Pre- or perimenopause is the period between your 30’s and 50‘s. Technically, ‘perimenopause’ is the 1-2 years before your periods stop but it is also used to mean the broader premenopause period. For my purposes, I used perimenopause to mean the broader premenopause phase.
After puberty, most women enjoy a steady ebb and flow of hormone levels during the ‘reproductive years’ in their 20‘s & 30’s. During perimenopause, however, you can get some pretty wild fluctuations that result in menopausal symptoms. Postmenopause you will have steady hormones at lower levels.
Perimenopause Symptoms
Every woman’s pre-menopause is different. If you are one of the lucky ones, you may not be feeling it at all. But more likely than not, you are. You may be noticing changes in your cycle – heavier periods, lighter periods, more PMS, night sweats, or hot flashes. You may notice an increase in depression, brain fog, or migraines. And/or you may notice you’ve been buying jeans a size larger every year. Sigh…
Hormone balance is a complicated web of activities in the body. There is no magic pill, supplement, or herb that will make all your symptoms go away overnight. But, there are steps you can take to bring you more into balance and give you relief from your symptoms.
Here are 5 ways you can find perimenopause relief.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Water helps flush out toxins and excess hormones that can cause imbalances.
- Nourish your liver by eating plenty of vegetables like beets and kale. These vegetables are full of fiber and nutrients needed to help your liver do it’s detoxification process more efficiently.
- Nourish your adrenals by cutting down on stress where possible. That means saying ‘No” to more. The closer we are to menopause the more your adrenals take the key role in hormone production. If you are overly stressed, your adrenals will be too overworked to produce what you need.
- Create a nighttime routine where you go to bed at a regular time, preferable before 10pm. Hormone cycles are tied to day and night circadian rhythms. Give your body a break and don’t fight this.
- Avoid inflammatory foods like gluten, dairy, coffee and alcohol. These foods affect your ability to digest other foods properly as well as prohibit your liver from detoxing efficiently.
While these steps are not difficult, to be successful, you definitely need to plan how you will integrate them into your everyday life. That’s why I created the Perimenopause Detox. You can join me for a 5-day Food Reset or the extended 6-week Deep Dive. I give you all the tools you need to implement these strategies in a sustainable and enjoyable way. Click here to register.
In the detox, I share my special Unknown Secrets to Outsmart (Peri-) Menopause Webinar, where I show you how to balance your hormones naturally, the most important organs to nourish during (peri-) menopause, and the key foods and supplements to find balance and perimenopause relief. Additionally, I send you tips throughout the detox so you can put these strategies into practice.