One of the most common phrases we’ve heard from people is “why did no one tell me?”. And this holds very true for perimenopause/menopause. There is still a lot of confusion around when menopause starts and what symptoms are associated with it. Some women end up not seeking out support because they feel like this is just the natural process of aging. However, there are lots of options – including naturopathic recommendations – that women can use to help reduce symptoms from perimenopause/menopause.
Our Toronto naturopath, Dr. Francesca Reis, has done a couple of social media videos about when perimenopause/menopause starts and what symptoms to expect (you can check them out on Instagram). But to give you a quick overview, perimenopause can start in your early 40s, and in some cases, late 30s. A women enters menopause when she hasn’t had her period for 12 consecutive months.
At first there may just be some subtle changes that don’t seem like much, but overtime they can intensify. Some of these changes can be around your menstrual cycle – how regular it is, how heavy it is, and PMS related symptoms. Some women may also notice their periods become less intense, while some women may experience heavier periods. Other symptoms could include thinning hair, bruising more easily, vaginal dryness, night sweats, trouble sleeping, dryness of your mucus membranes in general, brain fog, fatigue, heart palpations, mood changes, weight gain, and more.
Many women will experience symptoms in their early 40s and not realize that these symptoms can be related to perimenopause. The symptoms can be related to other things as well, which is why it is important to reach out to your naturopathic doctor if you’ve noticed some changes in your body that are unusual for you. An important part of naturopathic medicine is education. So, you should never feel ashamed or embarrassed to talk to your healthcare provider about changes you’ve noticed in your body. We want our patients to feel empowered and part of their healthcare planning process for their perimenopause/menopause experience. Because rather than hearing “why did no one tell me?” it is our greatest hope to hear “I’m so glad my naturopath prepared and now I know what to expect from menopause”.