Why Perimenopause Is Worse Today

Menopause typically happens to women around the age of 54. This period, marked by a decrease in estrogen production and the permanent end of the menstrual cycle, is a defining part of getting older for women. But it does not happen out of the blue, except in the cases of women who have a hysterectomy. For most women, there is a period of lead-up to menopause called perimenopause. For most women it starts in their 40s, but for some it can start in their 30's. It is characterized by a number of things, including changes in hormone levels that can lead to hot flashes, sleeping problems, mood swings, sexual dysfunction, and painful PMS. Lasting anywhere from a couple months to a full decade, perimenopause has always been a factor in women's lives, but in recent years there has been talk of it happening earlier to women, and hitting them harder. There are a few reasons why this could be, and they all stem from the changes that have occurred in society and the world at large in recent decades.

The modern world is full of new technologies, synthetic substances, rampant pollution, and processed foods, all of which have been associated with changes in how women's bodies produce hormones. Preservatives like BHT are found in many packaged foods to preserve the freshness of the ingredients and prevent oxidation, which can turn food rancid. While this is a good idea on paper – the longer a food's shelf life, the better, right? – the resulting effects on the body are not so good. BHT has been shown to disrupt hormone communication in lab animals, and BPAs – chemical compounds found in plastics, which can leach into the food and water supply – can have endocrinal effects on people, essentially disrupting their hormone production and causing an imbalance in estrogenic hormones specifically.

The quality of processed foods is also a cause for concern. One of the main contributing factors for early perimenopause is malnutrition, and with the proliferation of nutrient-poor sources of food like fast foods, microwave meals, and pre-packaged snack foods, it is harder and harder to find nutritious meals. Add to this the body image issues many women face, which causes many women to purposely under-eat in order to lose weight, it is no wonder why many women these days may be undernourished.

Stress is another factor of modern life in the industrialized world which can lead to worsened symptoms of perimenopause. Working long hours and balancing multiple obligations, including those of motherhood and household work, can lead to depression, low sex drive, mood swings, and difficulties concentrating – the same sorts of issues caused by perimenopause. When you combine the two, these symptoms are doubled, and the result can be overwhelming to both the mind and body.

Chemicals in the food supply, food lacking in nutrients, and a stressful daily life – all of these can come together and make perimenopause not only occur sooner, but make its symptoms worse.

There is hope, however. Women can take precautions and make choices in their daily lives that can alleviate the pains and stresses of perimenopause, or at least prevent it from being worse than it needs to be. Eating a healthy and balanced diet is always a good place to start: getting enough nutrition and avoiding preservatives, synthetic ingredients, and chemical residue can help boost your health and limit your exposure to things that could upset your body's natural hormonal balance.

Finding balance in your everyday life is another way to lessen the load on yourself. Eliminating unnecessary stresses, taking more time to rest, getting more sleep, and exercising can reduce your overall stress and ensure that your body isn't taking on more than it should.

While these suggestions may sound obvious to some, many women just don't make these principles a part of their lives. We tell ourselves that we're strong, that we don't need to take breaks, that we can soldier on, that we can survive on just coffee and an apple. In the end, though, we're just harming our health and increasing the burden on our mind and body.