Midlife

Most women don't know a whole lot about menopause. The focus on women's health during adolescence is how to avoid pregnancy and during adulthood it's how to achieve pregnancy. When midlife rolls in, I'm finding that so many physicians don't have a lot of offer women regarding support for the midlife, or perimenopausal transition. According to my favorite women's health authority, Dr. Christine Northrup, menopause typically occurs between the ages of 45-55. I think most women have a sense of this. What I feel most women and many of their physicians don't realize is that perimenopausal symptoms can occur for a full five to ten years BEFORE that. So, when I see a women in her mid-to late-thirties who is having perimenopausal symptoms and I discuss this with her, the response is usually one of shock and disbelief. She usually has no idea that things such as mood swings, irritability, difficulty sleeping, and "fuzzy thinking" can all be early menopausal, or perimenopausal, symptoms. Often at this age, these women are in the midst of parenting one or more young children and can easily write off their symptoms to the intensity of parenting young children. Don't get me wrong, young children can be exhausting, but I also believe that if these symptoms are occurring and you are in your mid to late thirties, the hormonal changes of perimenopause should also be considered as a possible factor. I had a situation once, where a former colleague was experiencing almost all of the identified perimenopausal symptoms. She was in her early 40's so I suggested that she talk to her doctor about treatment for these hormonal symptoms. She came back from her appointment and told me, through tears of frustration, that her doctor told her there was no way that this was perimenopausally related, so he prescribed birth control bills and an anti-depressant. I was shocked! So much has been learned about self-care, diet and bio-identical (natural not synthetic) hormones which can help alleviate most perimenopausal symptoms for women, that I was disappointed that this was the best the doctor could do for my friend. If your doctor is unfamiliar with these alternatives, direct him or her to the work of Dr. Northrup and perhaps there are other options available for you as well.

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