Women often come to Body Love Wellness for help managing their symptoms associated with perimenopause. Some of them are aware hormonal changes are starting to take place, while others can’t quite put their finger on why they feel different. Many women experience a wide swath of symptoms including bloating, weepiness, night sweats, anxiety, brain fog, digestive issues, and insomnia [very similar to PMS].
What is perimenopause?
Perimenopause, the transtion leading to menopause [the point in time when you stop your menstrual period permanently], can begin as early as a woman's late 30's. The hallmark of perimenopause is a change in the levels of the hormones estrogen, progesterone, and androgens such as testosterone. This phase of life can last for as many as 10 years!
Essentially, progesterone declines while estrogen remains stable or increases. The most significant issue for the majority of women is the fact that they don't have enough progesterone, the levels are too low relative their level of estrogen - called estrogen dominance. Common symptoms of estrogen dominance include breast swelling and tenderness, mood swings, fuzzy thinking, irritability, trouble sleeping, water retention, PMS, weight gain, and sometimes migraine headaches.
Testosterone can also decline during perimenopause. The symptoms can be more subtle but can include loss of sex drive, decreased sexual response, decreased sensitivity in your erogenous zones, decreased sense of well-being, depression, loss or thinning of pubic hair.
Estrogen is usually the last hormone to decline and traditionally is what is associated with menopause. Symptoms of low estrogen include hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, decreased energy and ambition, depression or mood swings, dizziness, headaches, recurrent UTIs, increased susceptibility to vaginal infections, and more.
In order to have the best transition possible, it's important to understand what's happening within and go into this phase as healthy as possible so that your body has more of a gradual decline of hormones vs. a sharp drop. This sharp drop is what fuels many of the most severe perimenopausal symptoms women experience.
The good news is… we have a lot more control over our hormones and how our hormones transition than you may realize, and my passion is helping you put all the power back in your hands to create the body and life you so desperately want!
7 Tips for Balancing Perimenopause Hormones
Fill up on high quality protein. High-quality protein will help you to stay full longer and keep the hormone ghrelin [this hormones tells your brain you're hungry] at bay. Beward of soy-based proteins, though, as they can wreak more havoc on your estrogen levels!
Avoid foods that wreak havoc on your hormones. Keeping your blood sugar even keel is critical for dealing with the ebbs and flows of perimenopause. When your blood sugar is out of whack, all your other hormones will be out of whack. Think artificial sweeteners, refined carbs, sugars, processed foods.
Get active. A combination of strength and cardio increases the “feel-good” hormone dopamine, which reduces stress and feelings of depression. Regular activity can also help your sleep, digestion, memory, and even sexual function, thanks to a boost in serotonin.
Ditch the plastic. Nearly every type of plastic releases chemicals that mimic estrogen in your body.5 Continuous, low-level exposure to these chemicals can lead to hormone imbalance.
Get sleep! While you sleep, growth hormones are released that boost your immune system and aid in tissue repair. A good night’s sleep also helps control your levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, so you are better equipped to dealing with stress during the day ahead.
Manage your stress. Chronic stress causes spikes and dips in a number of different hormones including cortisol, adrenaline, prolactin, thyroid hormones, and growth hormones. These imbalances can lead to a wide range of health issues including adrenal fatigue, diabetes, Graves’ disease, and sexual dysfunction.
Consider supplements. In conjunction with these lifestyle strategies, certain supplements can be particularly helpful. A few of my favorites for perimenopause symptoms include Adrenal Revive, GABA, Diadren Forte, H&H endocrine support.[All available for purchase in my practice]
Not sure where to begin? I can help! Schedule a free health strategy session today!
Comments