Let’s shed light on one of the best-kept secrets of womanhood: perimenopause. This often-overlooked stage serves as an important precursor to menopause, ramping up the intensity of symptoms women experience as they transition. While menopause itself is widely recognized and often dreaded, many women remain unaware that they are entering perimenopause until it’s too late—much like discovering a stain on a white blouse or being invited to join an acquaintance’s multi-level marketing scheme.
Years ago, I first learned about perimenopause in a rather indirect way. Back in my twenties, I worked at a production studio where a fortysomething client shared an unexpected and rather personal story during a business dinner. It was a tale of horror as she suddenly realized that “Aunt Flo” was about to make an uninvited appearance. Unprepared and desperate, she pleaded with the men at the table, including the restaurant manager, to help her find a solution. Their reactions, however, seemed to go over her head, leading her to assume they didn’t grasp the urgency of the situation.
“Ladies,” she implored, arms outstretched, “you know how critical it is to get what you need before IT arrives!” My colleague and I exchanged bewildered glances, struggling to connect as she recounted her feminine plight. In hindsight, it’s clear she was navigating the stormy waters of perimenopause, a concept that was foreign to me at the time.
As I entered my forties, the reality of perimenopause became all too clear. I began to experience the very symptoms she had described—symptoms I had previously dismissed as mere inconveniences. Perimenopause is defined by WebMD as the transition leading up to menopause, primarily triggered by a decrease in estrogen production. The list of symptoms reads like a horror show:
- Hot flashes
- Breast tenderness (and droopiness)
- Intensified premenstrual syndrome
- Reduced sex drive
- Discomfort during intercourse
- Fatigue
- Irregular periods
- Vaginal dryness
- Urinary leakage during laughter or sneezing
- Urgency to urinate
- Mood swings
- Sleep disturbances
And if that’s not enough, some women are even graced with a resurgence of teenage acne. One friend lamented how she was now battling both wrinkles and breakouts, a cruel twist of fate.
What’s important to understand is that perimenopause is merely the opening act for menopause, which can come with its own set of challenges. For some women, perimenopause lasts just months; for others, it can stretch out for a decade or more. It’s typically encountered in the 40s, but some may start experiencing it in their 30s.
Despite knowing it’s on the horizon, many of us still cling to the belief that menopause won’t affect us until we’re “old.” Yet, the symptoms are undeniable. Just recently, I found myself in a heated debate with my son over a minor detail in the Star Wars universe—thankfully, I was able to pause and take a moment to regain my composure.
If you’ve found yourself similarly unprepared for the onset of perimenopause, consider sharing this information far and wide. Feel free to embarrass your younger colleagues by forwarding this piece, or perhaps inspire your male friends to reflect on their own discomforts. For more insights on home insemination, check out this at-home insemination kit post or visit Mama Tips from the Women Who Inspire Us for authoritative advice. If you’re curious about pregnancy and home insemination, Healthline’s resources are also excellent.
In the end, it’s all about embracing this new chapter with a sense of humor. After all, tears won’t bring back the days of youth, but laughter (with caution) can certainly lighten the load—just be mindful of those pesky bladder issues.
Summary:
Perimenopause is an often-overlooked phase of womanhood that precedes menopause, characterized by a variety of physical and emotional symptoms. Many women remain unaware of its onset until they start experiencing changes in their bodies, such as hot flashes, mood swings, and fatigue. It’s important to have open conversations about perimenopause and share information, helping to normalize this natural transition in life.