We’ve all heard that there is a peak age for ovulation; a time when your body is ripe with baby-making magic, and there are eggs as far as the sperm can swim! Well, too bad that age is about 18, and by the time we’re actually ready to have babies, your egg count has gone down. Way down…
Contrary to what you may be thinking right now, this post is not meant to freak you out, or make you fall into a series of depression-induced, Ben and Jerry’s-related brain freezes. Nope. This information is GOOD to know. Women in their thirties are not thinking about menopause yet, even though perimenopause (the 6-10 years before you reach menopause) often begin’s in our early 40’s or even earlier for some women. Come to mama. I’m here to help.
As your body prepares for menopause (no-period -yes please!) you are in perimenopause. Perimenopause is the stage of your life that is, unfortunately, home to most of the symptoms we associate with menopause. Menopause is simply defined by the absence of your period for 12 consecutive months. Period. The average age of menopause is 51.
Rapid egg decline (this is what I like to call it) goes like this: fertility is highest between the ages of 18-22. Once you reach 30 years old, it begins to decline. At 35, it has gone down sharply. By the time you reach 40 years old, only about 40% of women are able to conceive without medical intervention. Why is this? Because by the time you reach 40, your body is gearing up for perimenopause, if it isn’t already there. Hormones are changing, and your reproductive system has begun spring cleaning. If you prefer this information delivered with song then watch this music video I put together: A Singing Uterus Explains Perimenopause and Menopause.
So, how do you know if you’re in perimenopause? You can get some simple blood tests to determine if you are in perimenopause and/or to find out if your eggs are still fertile. This blog will help you ask for the tests you need: MENOPAUSE MONDAYS® Getting Tested for Menopause (and Fertility).
What are some symptoms that you can expect from being in this stage of your life? Brace yourself: the answers aren’t all that pretty, but I do have oodles of blogs and a free eBook to help you deal with these pesky symptoms:
MENTAL/EMOTIONAL
memory lapses (sticky notes aplenty)
overly sensitive
uncontrollable crying
unusually depressed or withdrawn
overall sense that I’m not OK
tense (like a rubber band ready to snap)
overwhelmed
anxious
irritable
bursts of anger
violent
low sex drive
PHYSICAL
oddly dry skin
headaches/migraines
exhausted
hair loss
PMS-like bloating
sore or ballooning breasts
increased chin whiskers
deepening voice
pimples galore
hot flashes or flushes
night drenches
insomnia
heart palpitations
weight gain (shrinking pants)
stiffness, aches, and pains
bladder issues
vaginal infections
excessive vaginal discharge
breakthrough vaginal bleeding
dry vagina (sex hurts)
harder to reach orgasm
On the plus side of things, women rarely experience all of these symptoms. (Thank you, Mother Nature!) Some women glide right through perimenopause without even realizing they’re in it. Just know that if you feel like you’re going crazy, you begin to experience weird issues that make you scour the web, late at night, searching for solutions, and you’re between the ages of 35-45, then you’re probably experiencing perimenopause to some extent, and this is normal. Your friends may not admit it, but they’re probably going through it too. The best advice I can give you in these early stages of transition, download my free Menopause Symptom Chart and then find a good menopause specialist! Take your filled out chart with you in to your Menopause Specialist and get the help that you need and deserve! Then throw a Menopause Mondays Party! Yes, gather up your girlfriends (otherwise known as The Sisterhood) so you can share your experiences. Help yourself and them out by facilitating some perimenopause communication.
Remember: Suffering in silence is OUT! Reaching out is IN.
Download my free eBook: MENOPAUSE MONDAYS the Girlfriend’s Guide to Surviving and Thriving During Perimenopause and Menopause.
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