Feeling Exhausted and Out of Control? It Could Be Perimenopause
Many women juggle busy schedules and numerous responsibilities, leaving them feeling drained by the end of the day. But if exhaustion has become your new normal, and you often feel out of control emotionally or physically, you may be experiencing more than just daily stress. These feelings can be early signs of perimenopause—the transition period leading to menopause. For many women, this time brings profound changes that can be difficult to identify as hormone-related.
What Is Perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the period before menopause, typically occurring in women between their 40s and 50s, although it can start earlier or later. This phase can last anywhere from a few months to several years. During perimenopause, the ovaries begin to produce less estrogen, which causes fluctuations in hormone levels. Progesterone begins a steady decline. This is because its job is to prepare the uterus for egg implantation and also causes the uterine lining to shed. These hormonal shifts are the root cause of many symptoms, including the exhaustion and loss of control that many women report.
Early Signs of Perimenopause
Exhaustion: Feeling tired all the time, despite getting enough sleep, is one of the most common early signs of perimenopause. This fatigue can be mental and physical, often making everyday tasks feel overwhelming.
Mood Swings and Emotional Instability: Hormonal fluctuations can lead to emotional turbulence. Some women describe feeling out of control or more irritable, anxious, or depressed than usual. These mood swings may come out of nowhere, contributing to a sense of confusion or frustration.
Irregular Periods: As hormone levels change, menstrual cycles can become unpredictable. You might experience longer or shorter cycles, heavier or lighter bleeding, or skipped periods altogether.
Sleep Disruptions: Insomnia or waking up multiple times during the night can become common during perimenopause, making it difficult to get restful sleep. Night sweats, another symptom, can also interfere with sleep.
Brain Fog: Difficulty concentrating, memory lapses, or feeling mentally sluggish can all be symptoms of perimenopause. This "brain fog" can make daily responsibilities feel harder to manage.
Other symptoms as perimenopause persists:
Hot Flashes: A sudden feeling of intense heat, usually in the upper body, that can last from a few seconds to several minutes.
Night Sweats: Hot flashes that occur during sleep, often causing women to wake up drenched in sweat.
Vaginal Dryness: As estrogen levels decrease, the vaginal tissues can become drier, leading to discomfort during intercourse.
Weight Gain: Hormonal changes during menopause can slow metabolism, making weight gain more likely, especially around the abdomen.
Joint Pain: Some women report increased stiffness, aches, and joint pain as they transition through menopause.
What is the definition of menopause?
Once a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, she has officially reached menopause. At this point, estrogen levels have dropped significantly, and other hormones, such as progesterone, also decline. Menopause symptoms often intensify during perimenopause but can continue post-menopause.
The Struggles Women Face
For many women, perimenopause and menopause can feel like losing control over their bodies. The unpredictability of symptoms like hot flashes, emotional swings, and cognitive changes can lead to a sense of frustration and even anxiety. The sudden weight gain when you haven’t changed a single aspect of your wellness routine is maddening. Add to that the societal pressures to maintain work, family responsibilities, and self-care, and it’s no wonder many women feel overwhelmed. The stress of it all can be debilitating.
What Can You Do?
While menopause is a natural phase of life, it doesn’t mean you have to suffer in silence. Here are some ways to navigate the transition:
**Adopt A Fasting Lifestyle**: The human body will heal itself if you give it what it needs. Learn all you can about how fasting can help you transition. Be aware; women have to be very mindful of their cycle when fasting. If you aren’t familiar with your cycle, I highly recommend a crash course on cycle literacy. Including the hormones that cycle and what they need to stay “happy”.
- **Eat Nature’s Foods**: Stop eating ultra-processed foods. Stay away from seed oils. And quit with the sugar! All of it. Remember that processed grains (flour) turn into sugar immediately when you eat them. Nature’s carbs come with fiber that slows down the absorption of sugar.
- **Heal Your Microbiome**: There is a part of the female gut microbiome called the estrobolme. It is responsible for metabolizing hormones, specifically estrogen. Our gut needs to be doing its job properly so that our bodies don’t hold on to toxic estrogen.
- **Manage Your Toxic Load**: Unfortunately, there are toxic ingredients allowed in our food, beauty products and cleaning supplies. These toxins overtax our liver and build up in our systems which creates disruption. Inflammation. Autoimmune Diseases.
- **Prioritize Rest**: This means creating a bedtime routine that encourages good sleep habits, getting enough hours of sleep and making sure your self care practice is on-point. Stress reduction is imperative during perimenopause. Meditation. Yoga. Breathing Exercises. Connecting with the earth.
- **Build a Support Network**: Connect with other women going through similar experiences. Whether it’s through online communities, local groups, or trusted friends, sharing your journey can provide validation and comfort.
In conclusion, perimenopause can be an unpredictable and exhausting time in a woman’s life, but understanding the signs can empower you to seek help and make lifestyle changes that ease the transition. By listening to your body and being proactive about self-care, you can navigate this challenging phase with grace and strength.
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