What the “F” is going on here?!?

Hormones are having a “moment” right now…specifically hormonal transitions like Perimenopause/and Menopause.  There is suddenly (and thankfully) much conversation about these transitions, likely due to women holding more positions of power and wealth control than before.  In fact, menopause is estimated to be a 24 BILLION dollar market share in the coming years, so there is definitely interest in honing our current understanding of exactly what’s happening “under the hood” for women and how to help maintain Vitality, Vibrancy and Good Health while She moves through these transition times.

Having said that, it is a bit like the Wild West at the current moment with so many “experts” weighing in on supplements, herbs, diets and more.   Add to that, lack of research around women’s bodies and the cultural “taboo” of discussing anything that has to do with periods, perimenopause and menopause, and what we are left with is generations of women (and doctors) who have never really been taught about how female hormones work and how their bodies are changing which makes for lots of confusion, frustration and suffering.

So what the F is actually going on?  Here is a brief and mostly complete explaination: *This is generalized information.  Every Body,  Woman and Experience WILL BE different.

Fertile Years: When a woman begins to menstruate, she will typically have a 28-30 day cycle where levels of Estrogen and Progesterone will rise and fall in a beautifully choreographed dance….these are the “fertile years” where we have a plethora of eggs, energy and vitality.   

Perimenopause Years: As a women begins to move out of her fertile years In mid 30’s to late 40’s, this dance becomes more erratic with more anovulatory cycles (no ovulation) which causes a decline in progesterone leaving estrogen unchecked (estrogen dominance) and ultimately a decline in both hormones.  This can lead to heavier periods, painful periods, skipped periods, migraines, mood changes, weight changes, hot flashes, digestive upset and more. This rollercoaster of hormones can feel like a tsunami of physical and emotional changes just when most women are at their peak of STRESS…working, care-giving to kids, possibly married or partnered, managing aging parents and trying to find a morsel of time for herself.  Perimenopause can last up to 10 years or a few months, depending on the person.

Menopause Years:  Most women enter Menopause in their Fifties (typically 51-55yrs) and “The Menopause” is THE day following 12 consecutive months of no period.  After that, women are considered Post Menopausal and I find this SO exciting because I see it as an invitation to a beautifully vibrant Second Act, when we know ourselves inside and out and are truly WISE WOMEN!

I heard someone once say that Perimenopause is like the bookend to Puberty and Menopause is the New Chapter. That feels very exciting and expansive and just the medicine this world needs right now!

Next up, how to support ourselves through this transition.  Stay tuned.