Perimenopause
What is Menopause and Perimenopause?
Menopause is defined as the day in which it has been 12 months since your last period. The average age of menopause is 51, with ages ranging between 45-55.
Perimenopause is the time in which estrogen levels are dropping and fluctuating, but the individual is still getting their period at least once a year. Perimenopause can last 4-10 years prior to menopause. This is different for every person, and can start as early as the late-30s.
Perimenopause is marked with a long list of over 30 symptoms, ranging from mild to severe. The most common are brain fog, hot flashes, sleep disturbances and irritability. For more information on the list of symptoms, The Menopause Society of Canada and the Menopause Foundation of Canada have wonderful resources that are free to the public.
Balancing Perimenopause and Parenthood
Often, due to perimenopause symptoms, individuals have trouble navigating daily life and responsibilities. This is especially true for those who are navigating both early parenthood and perimenopause. In Ontario, about 25% of live births are from individuals who are over the age of 35, many of whom are undergoing perimenopause while caring for small children. I often hear clients say, “I’m just not coping like I used to. I just don’t feel like myself.” This often leads to feelings of shame, guilt and feeling overwhelmed.
If this sounds like you, please reach out. I am happy to help you navigate this life stage. My process includes leaning into ACT therapy practices to start. This is an exploration of your current state, how you are coping and what tools can we add to help you build more self-compassion and ground your system. The secondary phase includes a deeper exploration of yourself, your values and goals.
