My Pal Perimenopause

This mangled Glad Cling Wrap box was a victim of one of my particularly bad perimenopausal days.  I’m not sure about you, but some days I have absolutely no patience with anyone or anything.  I can be reading the label on a can of chicken noodle soup and get this overwhelming surge of emotion – like I’m going to cry – for no reason at all!  Since when does mechanically de-boned chicken and monosodium glutamate make me feel sad???  Grossed out maybe, but not sad.  It’s crazy.  Or I’m crazy!

But the books and the medical experts assure me that it’s perfectly normal (tell that to my family members as they’re running for cover).  According to the folks at the Mayo Clinic (you know I love their website), perimenopause is defined as, “the interval in which your body begins its transition into menopause…lasting anywhere from two to eight years.”  Eight years???  I hope my cell mate doesn’t snore! 

Since straight jackets are out of fashion this season, I’m reading an excellent book written by Dr. Christiane Northrup, The Wisdom of Menopause to try and stay sane.  Dr. Northrup states that, “Approximately 40 million American women are going through the menopause process today” (I’m sure plenty of Canadian women are “transitioning” too).  So we’re certainly not alone.  She has an awesome website www.drnorthrup.com and is a real advocate for women’s health issues.

Irritability and mood swings are common symptoms of perimenopause.  I know my hormones can swing from low to high voltage without flipping a switch.  I’ve found that if I take a few deep breaths and tell myself that this wave of emotion is all a part of “it,” the surge passes.  Sounds simple but accepting that my body will feel like it’s been invaded by aliens for awhile is still a real challenge. 

And the aliens seem to be turning up my body’s thermostat.  A few of my friends are really struggling with hot flashes too.  I get them just before my period starts.  I’m all sweaty like I’ve been out in the hot sun and then I get chilled when the sun moves behind the clouds!  I have to wring out my t-shirt in the mornings because of night sweats (real romantic eh?).  Dr. Northrup suggests yoga, meditation and acupuncture to help relieve the discomfort of hot flashes.   

So, I’ve bought myself a pretty orange mat and a yoga DVD.  I’m sure I’ll get used to the young, slim, beautiful yoga instructor.  If not, I’ll blame my pal perimenopause for the twisted pile of metal that once resembled our DVD player.

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