For about six months now I've been plagued with symptoms that I would assume were associated with perimenopause, and my mind has been spinning in circles as to how I approach this next step in my life.

Perimenopause is essentially the time leading up to the last menstrual period and for one year after this and is a natural part of life before our ovaries stop working - which is menopause. Perimenopause can start anywhere from your mid 30's to 40's and can cause physical and emotional symptoms.
True menopause is defined by not having your period for a year ... so I would imagine I'm a while away from that as I still get monthly periods.
Although I just checked with my Mum, and she went through menopause when she was 42. My GP said that the age your Mum goes through menopause can be an indicator of when you will - although it's not an exact science it at least gives him an idea of things.
I have a lot to unpack about how I feel about perimenopause so bear with me while I try and work through it here ...

It's 2024 and I am 42. About 6 months ago I started getting hot flushes. I've never experienced them in my life but as soon as I started getting them I just had a feeling it was perimenopause. I'd also get headaches and generally not feel so great.
Then it stopped for about a month, but started up again a few weeks ago accompanied by morning nausea. I swear I'm not pregnant, but this nausea resembled morning sickness, so I googled it and guess what?! Also a perimenopause symptom.
Then I think back to the last year and my periods have gone from being completely average, to being HEAVY. Like "lets have your entire 4 day period in the space of a day" heavy.
Last year I had a pretty serious mental breakdown and I'm now wondering whether or not these fluctuating hormones contributed to this; its hard to tell but it is a possibility.
The overall symptoms of perimenopause can be quite broad, so if you're unsure yourself give it a google. My doctor said it's hard to pinpoint if someone is going through perimenopause exactly because hormones fluctuate, but I have a feeling for me it is, especially given the history with my own mum.

Anyway ... at this stage as I really have no idea what's happening with my body, I've realised I should probably tread carefully with it.
I need to recognise that I'm either going through, or about to go through a challenging time in my life - especially for my body.
I dont know why but this realisation hit me really hard after listening to a podcast called Growth Game, where Franki Turner chatted about her own journey with perimenopause, and it made me stop and actually pay attention to what I was doing.
My exercise has dropped off lately, and my eating habits are out the gate. I have never been great at looking after my body, and have constantly struggled with my own self image, and in this moment I realise that none of this is doing any good and that I am doing myself a disservice.
So I think I am going to get back into my daily walks as much as I can, and I will enlist the help of a nutritionist who specialises in perimenopause/menopause.
I will also not hesitate to use HRT (hormone replacement treatment), but if I can support my body in other ways as well, during this time, then I should do that. It's really the least I can do.
I also struggle with depression and anxiety, so I need to be mindful of that as well, although I have a feeling that when my exercise and eating start to improve, my mental health will as well.
The next step is the nutritionist though and I'm excited to have some guidence in this area from someone who actually knows what they're talking about ...
Have you gone through perimenopause / menopause?
What were your symptoms and how did you know that's what was happening?
Did you change anything to your daily habits to help your body?
Perimenopause can be so destructive! Horrific mood swings, deep depression, exhaustion, aches and pains, just feeling so out of control! At least when we went though puberty we weren't responsible for jobs or other humans - we could just be chaotic and emotional! All the other responsibilities make it so much worse! Any neurodiversity and expect those symptoms to get worse too! Perimenopause is such a good time (said no one ever...)