By Schuyler Corrigan

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November 5, 2023

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Perimenopause is an anticipated right of passage for every woman. Some women approach this part of life with dread and discomfort, while others embrace it with open arms and a sense of liberation and freedom. However, the unfortunate truth is that because many women approach perimenopause unsuspectingly and with little knowledge of what is happening physiologically, confusion and frustration overtake their decision-making in their health. Every single woman will experience perimenopause and menopause, yet very little education is given to girls and women about this very normal process. 

 

Perimenopause is the transitional time before menopause lasting anywhere from 2 to 10 years and is most commonly noticed around or after the age of 40. During this time and within the Western world, women may notice subtle to extreme changes in the regularity and symptoms of their menstrual cycle as they become longer and more infrequent. Hormone levels are gradually shifting leading to a variety of symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats, headaches, joint and muscle aches, uncharacteristic mood changes, heavier bleeding, vaginal dryness, concentration and memory struggles, and sleep disturbances. As the menstrual cycles become longer and the ovaries begin to retire, there will be a time of about 1 year when menstrual cycles have ceased, and this is the “moment” we call menopause – 12 months after a woman’s last period. 

 

Again, this is a process and is gradual, and thus some women may experience very few if any signs or symptoms of perimenopause at all. Perimenopause is a natural process that does not require treatment, however, many women will seek support because they just aren’t feeling quite like themselves, or the symptoms are impacting their daily lives and are difficult to manage. It is estimated that “…menopausal symptoms are sufficiently bothersome to drive almost 90% of women to seek out their healthcare provider for advice on how to cope”. (1). However, we find that these symptoms are typically worse within the Western world and especially in cultures that do not revere age or see it as a form of wisdom. In fact, they find that menopausal symptoms are significantly less bothersome whereas in societies that see age as a negative experience, where menopause is equated to old age, the symptoms of menopause can be much more devastating to the women (2).

 

Read More: Perimenopause: From Research to Practice

Supporting Women in Perimenopause

Perimenopause is usually occurring at the stage of a woman’s life when they have hit a stride in their careers, and they may be caring for both their own children and their parents. They have full plates of responsibility and often a decade or more of chronic stress behind them already. Little to no time is allowed for them to navigate this phase of their life or deal with the daily symptoms that may be impacting their mental and physical health. It can be overwhelming and frustrating for them to find solutions when, case by case, every woman has come into perimenopause from a different path. Some have been on birth control for decades. Some have past or current endocrine imbalances such as thyroid disorders or adrenal fatigue. Some have a history of PCOS or endometriosis where they need more guidance on their hormonal journey. These are all examples of where personalized approaches to medical care are critical in both acute and preventive care in women’s health. 

 

One of the things that makes naturopathic medicine unique is the whole-body approach to health and well-being. That means that even when you are 30 years old and seeing your naturopathic doctor, they will have perimenopause in mind when creating your care plan. They know this is a reality of your future health, and the recommendations they provide you early on will be supportive of the process in ten, twenty, or thirty years. They will always be keeping in mind your adrenal and stress hormones, your liver detoxification function, your nutritional requirements for optimal bone and brain health, and your family history and genetic predisposition to certain hormonal changes. If and when you are in the thick of perimenopause, they can support the whole body without the tunnel vision of hormones only. This is why naturopathic care can be so important for long-term health.  

 

Read More: Naturopathic Approach to Women’s Health

 

If you or a loved one is in need of support during perimenopause, please reach out to Richmond Natural Medicine. One of our Naturopathic Doctors will help to guide you in both education and care during this time. All of our doctors are skilled in working alongside your primary care medical team, gynecologist, and can provide nutritional, herbal, lifestyle, and supplemental support based on your individual needs. 

 

Recommended resources:

Here are some physician authors you may find interesting with regard to information on perimenopause: Christiane Northrup, MD; Sara Gottfried, MD; Tori Hudson, ND

 

1. Perimenopause: From Research to Practice
2. (Rapaport, L. (2015, June 5). Culture may influence how women experience menopause. Reuters. Retrieved September 14, 2022, from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-menopause-perceptions-idUSKBN0OL1XH20150605