Hold Up, Pause… Peri What?!?

By Cristin Van Horn

Womanhood can be freaking tricky, no matter who you are. It has its ups, downs, challenges, and triumph, and right when you start to feel like you’ve gotten that hang of it…BAM things get f*cking weird. At Jane, we believe that knowledge is power, so let's tell the unvarnished truth about a little journey we're all going to eventually take: perimenopause. Yeah, that's right. We said it. Perimenopause. And before you think, "Yeah Yeah, it’s such a hot topic right now, but not for me, surely, I'm an exception!" Let’s stop you right there, because Mother Nature doesn't play favorites, and you are no exception.

How DO You Know When You’re In It?

So, how do you know when you've entered the gateway to menopause, that rite of passage known as perimenopause? Let's break it down.

Let’s start with some facts: 100% of women will experience menopause and perimenopause. Period. So yes, that includes you. That means that every single woman is going to experience the joys (read: sometimes sheer, what-the-heck-is-happening-to-my-body chaos) of perimenopause. 

Perimenopause often begins in a woman's 40s, but it can kick off in your late 30s, too. It's a prelude to menopause, which is officially reached when you've bid farewell to your menstrual period for a straight-up 12 months.

Now, onto the signs. Here's the thing, the symptoms can be as unique as we are, but there are common threads that tie many of our experiences together. The menstrual cycle is often the first place you'll notice changes. Your periods could become as unpredictable as a game of bingo (and not in a fun September BINGO Challenge way!) longer, shorter, heavier, lighter, skipping a month here and there, or (just for fun) surprise double encores in a single month.

But that's not all. Perimenopause can turn up the heat quite literally with hot flashes that leave you throwing off the covers even on a chilly night. Sleep disturbances, mood swings, anxiety, lack of concentration or motivation are all also on the list of symptoms 

Physical changes often stake their claim, too. Weight gain and bodily changes are not an uncommon complaint. Loss of skin elasticity, hair loss, and brittle nails are also on the symptom list. 

Here’s a more comprehensive list of perimenopause symptoms:

Reproductive Signals:

• Irregular Periods

• Intense PMS

• Low Libido

Vasomotor Vibes:

• Hot Flashes & Night Sweats

• Sleep Disturbances

Emotional Waves:

• Depression & Anxiety

• Mood Swings

Cognitive Clouds:

• Brain Fog & Lack of Focus

Physical Transformations:

• Changes in Skin/Hair/Nails

• Weight Gain & Muscle Loss

But how do you know for sure that what you're dealing with is perimenopause? An appointment with your doctor can bring some clarity to your situation, but it’s important to know that there's no single test that says, "Yes, this is definitely perimenopause". Your doctor can order specific blood tests to gauge the levels of hormones like estrogen, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and thyroid hormones, among others.

The FSH test can be particularly telling, as FSH levels increase as your ovaries start their gradual bow-out of the reproductive show. Estrogen levels, meanwhile, might take you on a veritable rollercoaster ride of highs and lows. Because these hormones can fluctuate quite significantly during perimenopause, your doctor might suggest retesting at different times for a more comprehensive picture (and also why even with blood tests, it’s hard to know what’s really going on.)

Keep in mind, these tests are merely one piece of the puzzle. Your doctor will consider your age, symptoms, and medical history to provide a diagnosis that's tailored to you. It's not a crystal ball, but it's a tool in the toolbox for understanding the wild, winding road of perimenopause.

So How Can You Own This Change?

Here's where being part of the Jane DO fam makes all the difference. We're all about transforming challenges into triumphs. Sure, perimenopause might throw a hot flash your way, or have you wondering why your mood's swinging like a kettle bell swing. But guess what? You're not going at it alone. This is where knowledge is power and you can start to take control over your changing body.

Medical insights, combined with lifestyle adjustments, can help you ride out the hormonal waves of perimenopause. Maintaining a healthy weight and building more muscle through exercise (hello grabbing heavier weights in your fav Jane classes) is one of the best things women can do for themselves, even before perimenopause hits! Other things we can do to help our bodies navigate perimenopause with more ease are, ensuring a balanced diet, finding stress-busting strategies that work for you, and perhaps considering options like hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

So, to every woman gearing up for or cruising through perimenopause, know that this is a natural phase of life. Yes, it's riddled with questions and peppered with unpredictability, but with the right support system, medical advice, and a hefty dose of self-care, you've got the power to pass through perimenopause with strength and grace (or at least with a sense of humor, an arsenal of cooling fans, and your best ga pals here at Jane by your side).Because here's the truth, womanhood has its rough patches, but we are more than our symptoms and more than our challenges. And perimenopause is just another chance for us to prove how incredible we are, individually and together