One of the things that can make perimenopause so difficult is not always knowing that it is happening.
Maybe you're more anxious than you used to be. You're not sleeping well, your patience seems to have disappeared, or you're walking into a room and completely forgetting why you're there. You might be managing work, children, relationships and everyday responsibilities while quietly thinking, What is going on with me?
For some women, these changes can be confusing, frustrating, and even frightening.
Perimenopause is more than hot flashes
Perimenopause is the transition leading up to menopause, and it can begin years before your periods stop completely. Hormones such as estrogen and progesterone fluctuate during this time, and the experience can look very different from one person to another.
Hot flashes and changes to your menstrual cycle are probably the symptoms we hear about most, but they are far from the whole story.
Perimenopause can also involve changes in sleep, energy, concentration, mood, anxiety, irritability and sexual desire. Some women describe feeling more easily overwhelmed or less able to manage stress than they were before.
And then there is everything else happening at this stage of life.
You may be raising children, supporting aging parents, working, managing a household, navigating relationship changes or trying to figure out what you need after spending years looking after everyone else.
That's a lot.
Your emotional health matters too
Medical care can be an important part of managing perimenopause, particularly when you are experiencing new or concerning physical symptoms. But there can also be an emotional side to this transition that deserves attention.
Counselling can give you a place to talk about what is changing without feeling as though you have to minimize it or just push through.
Maybe anxiety has become harder to manage. Maybe you're snapping at people you love and then feeling guilty afterward. Maybe changes in your body have affected your confidence. Or perhaps you're simply exhausted from trying to hold everything together.
These are things we can talk about.
We can also look at practical strategies for managing stress, understanding emotional triggers, challenging unhelpful thoughts, communicating your needs, setting boundaries and finding ways to take care of yourself that actually fit into your life.
You don't have to change everything at once
Wellness advice can sometimes become another list of things we're supposed to be doing perfectly.
Exercise more. Sleep eight hours. Meditate. Eat perfectly. Reduce stress.
That's not always realistic.
Sometimes a better place to start is simply becoming curious about what is happening.
When does your anxiety seem worse? What happens after several nights of poor sleep? What leaves you feeling completely drained? What helps you feel more grounded? Are there places in your life where you're giving more than you realistically have to give?
Small changes matter too.
You are allowed to ask for support
Perimenopause is a normal life transition, but that doesn't mean every part of it is easy.
You also don't have to choose between medical and emotional support. Depending on what you're experiencing, your support system might include your physician or nurse practitioner alongside counselling and other appropriate wellness supports.
At Anchor & Bloom Counselling, I offer virtual counselling for women navigating perimenopause, menopause, anxiety, stress, relationships, parenting and other life transitions.
You don't need to have the right words or know exactly what you need before reaching out.
Sometimes, “I just don't feel like myself lately” is enough of a place to start.
This blog is for general educational purposes and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. New, persistent or concerning physical symptoms should be discussed with an appropriate healthcare provider.
