"Menopause is technically one day in a woman’s life that occurs 12 months after her last period. Afterward, women are considered postmenopausal. Before then, you’re in the perimenopause stage when reproductive hormones are shifting and can make you more vulnerable to major depression." Johns Hopkins

 

​

Women who are perimenopausal are suffering in silence. Along with weight gain, vaginal dryness, insomnia, hot flashes, itchy skin, night sweats, brain fog, panic attacks, lack of motivation, fatigue and hormone fluctuations, women typically are at the top of their earning potential at work while facing an empty nest, aging parents and health problems associated with aging.

​

As a mental health provider, I support numerous women on their menopause  journey. Like me, they were handed like a hot potato between various medical providers and labs that offer little insight into their experiences and a lack of support.

​

Did you know?

​

"Eight in 10 respondents in the largest survey of menopausal women in the UK said their workplace had no basic support in place and 41% said menopause symptoms were treated as a joke by colleagues.

The landmark study found menopausal women were being ignored in the workplace and by healthcare providers, with a third saying it took many [medical] appointments before they were diagnosed with menopause or perimenopause. This rose to 45% for [minority] women.

The findings were revealed in a report by the Fawcett Society, based on a survey of more than 4,000 women commissioned by Channel 4 for a documentary by Davina McCall.

Of those surveyed, 44% said their ability to work had been affected by their symptoms, but the majority said their workplace had no support networks (79%), no absence policies (81%) and no information sharing with staff (79%).

Other findings include 22% of disabled women leaving jobs due to their symptoms, compared with 9% of non-disabled women. Many women said they had taken time off due to menopause, but 39% cited anxiety or depression as the reason, rather than sharing their menopause status." The Guardian

​

Here’s what I wish was provided as part of every woman's conversation from the moment women begin to discuss the possibility of perimenopause.

​

• Health Education: There can be an increased risk of some health conditions like cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, urinary tract infections, decreased metabolism and depression.

• Exercise: Combining weight training and cardio is optimal to counteract above.

• Nutrition: Fruits and vegetables like apples, pears, peaches, carrots, celery, and cabbage all contain phytoestrogens. They are also loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help protect against disease and boost your estrogen levels naturally.

• Self-Care: Understanding menopause as a natural rite of passage allows women to step into a new phase of their lives with grace. While society often focuses on the discomfort and difficulties, it's essential to remember that menopause is an invitation to prioritize your self-care, discovery and compassion, which can transform this stage into a period of personal empowerment. Engage in activities you love, seek community support, rest and adopt a growth mindset.

• Therapy: Your emotional well-being is just as important during menopause. This period often brings about a reassessment of your life, providing an opportunity to deeply reflect on personal goals and desires, as well as to release what no longer serves you and make space for what's new.

• HRT: Systemic estrogen typically contains a higher dose of estrogen that is absorbed throughout the body. It can be used to treat any of the common symptoms of menopause. Low-dose vaginal preparations of estrogen minimize the amount of estrogen absorbed by the body. Because of this, low-dose vaginal preparations are usually only used to treat the vaginal and urinary symptoms of menopause. If hormone therapy is started before the age of 60 or within 10 years of menopause, the benefits appear to outweigh the risks.

• Medications: Antidepressant medications are recommended as a first-line treatment for hot flashes in people who cannot take estrogen.