Our initial group of fifteen Menopause Goddesses were completely unprepared for the sh*tstorm of the Change. (You can read our whole story in Becoming A Menopause Goddess.)
The Big M started for most of us in our 40’s (though it can start as early as the 30’s for some women. Shocking, I know!)
I still hear from readers around the world who are caught completely off-guard by the advent of perimenopause. By the time a woman is in the full throes of the change, it can be a challenge to try and learn what to do, how to cope when you’re hot and cranky and your brain doesn’t work.
If you are a woman 40 years of age or older, now’s the time to educate and prepare yourself. I’m not kidding about this. Many women suffer worse symptoms during perimenopause, the supposed lead-up event, than they experience at or after menopause.
I’ve often wondered how to start the conversation. Along came Heather Wright with her book What’s Happening to Me Now? Subtitle: The Facts of Life, As A Woman in your 40s (Straight Talk About Perimenopause).
Heather’s book is funny, concise, and shines a light on the weird changes of perimenopause. It’s a short-and-sweet guide to perimenopause: what it is, what symptoms might show up, what to do to help yourself through it. She even discusses particular perimenopause issues for women with disabilities when dealing with healthcare professionals. I learned a term – “disability castration syndrome”. Yes, it’s a thing.
And Matilda McCormack-Sharp’s illustrations add whimsy and diversity to the conversation.
So, goddesses, think about this book as a Christmas gift for daughters, younger co-workers, any woman just entering her 40’s. Or you, if this describes you or you are still in the throes of perimenopause. We want an easier transition for the goddesses in training. Happy holidays! Click here to buy the book!
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I’m 47 and don’t think I’m in peri yet .Is perimenopause really as bad as the stories I’ve read .There doesn’t seem to be any positive stories about it
While there are indeed horror stories about perimenopause and menopause, some women sail through with little to no symptoms. Do your best to cultivate a healthy lifestyle in the meantime. And we are here if you need us. Good luck!
I wish I had begun reading about perimenopause while I was in my 30’s. Menopause continues to not be spoken about at gatherings and seems to still be somewhat of a taboo topic. I remember when I was about 44-45 noticing that I suddenly developed anxiety after a couple of glasses of wine. You describe the Instant Replays – this is exactly what was happening. I thought I was just going crazy and up until this year, now that I am 49, did I begin to think this might be connected to menopause. How I wish I had researched earlier as I would have saved myself great grief wondering what was wrong with me. I spoke to my doctor, who checked my hormone levels, told me to try B12 & B6 and that was the end of the conversation. I have begun to speak out with work colleagues and many are experiencing the same symptoms. Thank you for creating this site and sharing. Understanding that what I am experiencing is a normal and awful part of life does make me feel better.
I feel like finally someone understands!! I’m reading your articles & blog and I am feeling justified & not alone. Im 45 for over the last year harder, longer, more painful periods ive ever had along with irregularity missing periods here & there. Anxiety & mood swings very emotional. But by far the worst symptom is the Hot flash/flush. My life just isn’t the same & im literally losing it. No sleep with horrible night sweats & the constant hourly hot flashes/flushes that leave me soaking wet from my head to my under breast area & back so im having to change my clothes, im nauseous, anxious sometimes feel dizzy. I haven’t had my period for 3 months now & ive recently had a uti treated with antibiotic. I don’t have health insurance so im seeing a physician that has a sliding scale pay plan but even with that its a struggle but im so very very thankful for it.. I don’t know what to do bc the doctor im seeing is not hearing me, and she said this isnt perimenopause or menopause. She’s testing me for everything BUT my hormones & dismisses all my symptoms & concerns. I just don’t understand it & I cannot keep paying for tests that so far end up being nothing & i don’t know what to do. This doctor told me hot flashes do not cause chills so she had me tested for covid- flu A&B – step- tested urine & had my urine cultured. Nothing was there no infection no bacteria. And she still isn’t looking at this as any sort of hormone issue. I mean is she right? Are my symptoms pointing to something else? I really need advice. I have NO female figures in my life to talk to or ask about any of this. If you’ve read this far THANK YOU so much for your time. This doctor has me confused but I feel so strongly this has to do with my hormones. Again Thank you for your time, comments, advise.
My mother and generations down the line have never spoken about menopause, it even taboo to speak to ones partners about the sexual changes in ones body.
So glad I’ve found this blog. I’m 43 and I think I’m going through perimenopause. My hormones are all over the place. I feel like I did when I was a teenager first getting my periods. I’ve taken to bursting into tears for no reason and it’s so embarrassing. I remember being quite emotional for a couple of years when my period first started and it’s like I’ve reverted to that again.
I am fairly sure I’ve been dealing with peri menopause for about 4 years… maybe even a bit longer. It was as though a switch flipped in me one day. I can remember it so vividly. And the obsessive thinking, general anxiety all through my body, and depression all hit at once.
After a couple years of antidepressants, I am off of meds, still having some periods… they are not regular, but I have learned a lot about keeping track of my symptoms and cycles with a phone app.
It has humbled me. I don’t have the same confidence I walked around with so many years. I second guess myself. I struggle sometimes just getting out of bed to start my day. But I have a supportive husband. He doesn’t always understand what’s happening, but neither do I.
This blog is a God-send to me. I feel like I have an explanation and validation,finally, to the unexplained changes happening inside of me.
Thanks for sharing, ladies. Please keep sharing! X O