Racing mind, debilitating joint pain, wakes up drenched– These are all symptoms of perimenopause, the transition period leading up to menopause when sex hormones fluctuate and decline, causing a roller coaster of biological changes. And it may be younger than you think: Although the average age of menopause in the United States is 52, perimenopause can begin several years earlier, sometimes even earlier. in your late 30s.
The tricky thing is that there is no test to confirm that you are in perimenopause. “Instead, we mostly rely on symptom patterns,” such as irregular periodsmood swings, night sweats, sleep disturbances, or just not feeling well, Stephanie Faubion, MDmedical director of The Menopause Society and director of the Mayo Clinic Center for Women’s Health, tells SELF.
While perimenopause is a “universal experience,” says Dr. Faubion, no two women experience it exactly the same. There are many approaches to treating and mitigating the effects – which can make it difficult to know what to try first.
If menopausal symptoms are preventing you from doing your daily tasks, it’s important to talk to your primary care doctor or midwife about the fastest way to get relief. This may look like medical intervention, including hormone therapy (HT)or it could be various lifestyle modifications.
Read seven women’s opinions on remedies to ease their menopausal symptoms, plus expert insight on why they work and how to maximize their benefits.
“I do pilates four days a week.”
“As I started to notice the changes in my body, I realized that I needed to focus a little more on taking care of myself.” Kelly KaufmanHe’s 47 and the president of Chicago-based communications agency K Squared Group, he tells SELF. Those changes included body aches, weight gain and “silly injuries” like pulling a muscle from simply bending over, he says.
So Kaufman started doing Pilates, which she says was the first workout she did consistently. “It’s helped me tremendously not only in keeping myself in shape, but also in giving me a little more focus and time.” It also helped him build strength and improve him sciatica so much so that he says he no longer needs physical therapy.
What an expert says:
Perimenopausal estrogen fluctuations ‘accelerate muscle loss and loosen joints’ Heather Hirsch, MDinternist and menopause specialist, as well as The Post-Menopause Survival Guidesays SELF. Hence the random strains and sprains. Pilates can help restore muscle tone so you’re less likely to get injured and increase insulin sensitivity to support your metabolism, she says. Still, she recommends layering on some heavier lifting (like with dumbbells or resistance bands) a few times a week if you can to give your muscles the challenge they need to grow.
