Am I Perimenopausal?

by | Mar 26, 2023 | Health, Hormones, Menopause, Metabolic Balance, Self Care | 0 comments

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You’ve probably heard the term perimenopausal but are you confused about what it is?  Are you wondering, Am I perimenopausal? 

Perimenopause is a natural stage of life leading up to the very last period a woman has.

This can begin up to 10 years before our final period, so a woman could be as young as 35 when she begins this phase of her life!

This is the time where a woman experiences several hormonal changes, which can result in a number of physical and psychological symptoms, as a result of our hormones going on a crazy rollercoaster ride. Unfortunately, this cannot be diagnosed by any lab tests (unlike menopause) and is diagnosed on age and symptoms instead.

If a woman is in her late 30’s to early 40’s and usually has regular cycles but is newly experiencing any 3 of the symptoms below, it is most likely that she is entering perimenopause:

  • Shorter menstrual cycles
  • New sore or swollen breasts
  • Waking in the middle of the night
  • Increased period cramps
  • Heavier or longer flow
  • Night sweats & hot flushes
  • Migraines
  • Increasing PMS
  • Unexplained weight gain

This can be a new and tricky stage to enter, with the crazy changes in hormones we’re experiencing, many women can begin feeling helpless during this time. The good news is, we don’t have to do this alone and there’s so many options for support and symptom relief!

One of the most important things during this time, is to support our bodies nutritionally. Ensuring we’re getting all the energy and nutrients we need.

Some tips:

  • Eat plenty of fibre
  • Incorporate protein at every meal
  • Focus on complex carbohydrates
  • Prioritise relaxation and down-time
  • Stay as active as possible – even a quick walk will do the trick!
  • Drink enough water!
  • Limit alcohol and caffeine
  • Work with a qualified professional e.g. a nutritionist

Here at Stepping Stones Nutrition, we also offer the Metabolic Balance Program which has helped so many women with manage their symptoms and feel their absolute best going into this new and exciting stage of life! Don’t hesitate to get in contact here if you feel like you need extra nutritional & metabolic support during this time.