Going Mad in Perimenopause? Signs and Solutions

Menopause doesn't happen overnight. For most women, the years leading up to this important period in a woman's life are their own sort of ride. This is perimenopause, a short transitional period that gives a preview of what women are to face when menopause finally hits. For some women the transition can be relatively tame, with few symptoms that are easily dealt with. Others suffer more, and this period of ramping up towards menopause can be less of a journey and more of a nightmare. But whatever your experience of perimenopause, fear not: there are ways to deal with it.

When a woman reaches 35, her body gradually ceases to produce as much estrogen and progesterone, and the effects of this change can manifest themselves in different ways. Not all of them are painful, but some of them can affect her quality of life. Estrogen is an important part of sexual function, and so the less estrogen there is in the body, the more a woman's sex drive can deteriorate. She may feel less sexy, or might just not be in the mood as much as she used to. Mood are also affected by estrogen levels, and fluctuations in the amount of hormones in her body can cause her mood to fluctuate wildly, riding high on happiness one moment, and in the dark depths of gloom and sadness the next. Hot flashes also become more common, as the blood vessels spontaneously constrict in response to waves of heat suddenly surging through her body, causing sweats, which can be extremely uncomfortable particularly at night while trying to fall asleep.

These symptoms can affect your everyday life. A dip in your sex drive can lessen the depth intimacy in relationships, and potentially lead to strain between you and your partner. Mood swings can affect your interpersonal relationships as well, and while depression felt during perimenopause is not something that needs to be treated with therapy or medication, it can still affect your work and social life. Night sweats and hot flashes can decrease the quality of your sleep, leading to more fatigue during the day and less energy to pursue the things you used to love.

The good news is that all women throughout history have gone through this, and there are lots of different strategies for dealing with perimenopause that can help you get through this important time of change in your life.

One important way? Nutrition. Keeping your body supplied with the nutrients it needs to function properly is a key way to make sure you're in good shape to overcome all the things perimenopause can throw at you. Many women don't get adequate nutrition, and the side effects of being undernourished can compound with perimenopause to make you feel even worse.

Another way is to keep active and get plenty of exercise. If you're stressed, chances are that your journey into menopause will be a rough one, as the symptoms of stress resemble those of perimenopause. Exercising will increase endorphins, decrease stress, and will help you get rid of all that negative energy built up inside you. What's more? You'll feel more fit, and that's a great way to boost the mood.

Lastly is to take action against the specific side effects that are harming you most. If your hot flashes are overwhelming you and are ruining your sleep, you could try natural supplements that can help you manage them better. If your lack of interest in sex is worrying you and your partner, go out of your ways to make time for each other. Don't wait for “the moment,” make it happen. Aphrodisiacs, massages, vibrators, sexual aids – as long as they're considered safe, these sorts of options can all help you to get in the mood. Like many things in life as we get older, all it really takes is a little effort.

So fear not, ladies. The end is not near. In all likelihood, you still have years to go before you hit menopause and things really change. In the meantime, you can start creating healthy and proactive habits right now, and most of them – especially nutrition and exercise – will really pay off later on.