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Perimenopause
Say Hello to Perimenopause!It sounds like you're in the thick of the transition. Don't worry, there are things we can and should do to mitigate the symptoms. We don't know if you're in it for a month or a decade, so it's always good to take action now to not only mitigate the frustrating signs and symptoms of menopause, but to protect our future selves.Perimenopause is the phase just before the menopause date of "12 consecutive months without a period". This usually happens in our 40s, but is not unusal in our 30s when our progesterone usually take a steep decline. Perimenopause can last a month or a decade. Some women have no symptoms at all, while others may have symptoms way past menopause into their 60s and 70s. This whole perimenopause/menopause thing lies on a huge spectrum. When we fall into perimenopause, a woman’s body produces fluctuating levels of estrogen and the ovaries release eggs less regularly in it's preparation to shut down the "baby making factory". You can thank these hormonal fluctuations, for the variety of symptoms during perimenopause. Symptoms can include hot flashes, sleep difficulties, mood swings, irregular periods, weight gain, depression, thinning hair, thyroid issues, low libido, brain fog and vaginal dryness, just to name a few. Some women may experience many symptoms, while some lucky women sail through perimenopause and menopause without experiencing a single hot flash or night of lost sleep. Personally, it is these women I worry about the most as they are not aware of things that are changing "under the hood".Regardless, the transition from premenopausal to peri to menopause doesn’t need to mean a decrease in the quality of your life or the enjoyment of your day-to-day activities. The average of menopause in North America and Europe is 51. In other countries it may be earlier or later. As the average age of most women these days in developed countries is in the 80s, we can live a third to half of our life in post menopause.Some factors influence the symptoms that help determine your phase of menopause. For example, if you are taking the hormonal birth control pill or the progesterone IUD, or if you’re on hormone therapy, your periods or other menopause-related symptoms may be impacted. Also, if you’ve ever had a hysterectomy, uterine ablation, removal of your ovaries, issues with your thyroid, or chemotherapy, symptoms normally associated with perimenopause, menopause or postmenopause may be affected. I always say "menopause starts in childhood", so any action you take now to improve your health will contribute to a smoother menopause transition when you do get there. A few things you can start now:1. Learn to breathe - You can add it to your morning meditation. Join the Biohacking Menopause membership group to learn how.2. Find a diet that works for you - eat real food, mostly plants, get adequate protein and hydrate.3. Build muscle - Your future self prefers to be strong. Not frail. Add strength training 2 - 3 times a week, eat your protein first (3 times a day spaced out).4. Prioritize sleep - I know. It's a hard one. Download my free sleep guide for tips to get started. 5. Do what makes you happy - I like to prioritize friendships and time with family. Listen to the Hack My Age podcast for all the biohacks that will help you optimize your health, your transition to menopause and your future self. Click the button to meet me (Zora) in the Biohacking Menopause women's only membership group to get personalized attention and biohacking tips you won't find anywhere else.
