Shedding Light on Perimenopause

with our amazing Naturopath, Dr. Domenique

Have you started to feel off and not like yourself? Are you experiencing mood swings, sleep changes and hot flashes? Are your periods getting heavier, lighter, farther apart or closer together? You may be experiencing symptoms of perimenopause.

Perimenopause is defined as the transitional period leading up to menopause and is characterized by profound hormonal, reproductive and neurological changes. Perimenopause can begin as early as 30 years old and as late as 50 years old and can range anywhere from 2-10 years in duration. While puberty and the reproductive years are usually talked about most frequently, perimenopause and menopause have recently taken the spotlight for good reason. It is critical we discuss and acknowledge perimenopause as a huge hormonal shift that every woman will experience in their lifetime and deserve support with. The symptoms of perimenopause should not interfere with your daily functioning and this blog post will shed light on signs, symptoms and naturopathic approaches to have you feeling your best through this dynamic time.

Signs and Symptoms of Perimenopause

There are over 30 reported symptoms of perimenopause – that’s a lot! Talking about your symptoms with your healthcare team is critical to receiving the care you deserve to feel your best day to day. Some of the most notable and common symptoms are listed below, but many more physiologic and cognitive symptoms exist beyond this list:

• Shortened, irregular and/or elongated cycles

• Longer/shorter and/or heavier/lighter and/or missed periods

• Vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes, hot flushes, blood pressure and heart rate changes)

• Mood changes

• Changes in stress and stress resiliency

• Sleep changes (interrupted sleep, trouble falling asleep, night sweats)

• Weight gain

• Changes in sexual function and libido

• Vaginal changes (dryness, atrophy, painful intercourse)

• Changes in cholesterol levels

• Changes in muscle mass and bone density

• Urinary changes (increased frequency of UTIs, bladder pain, incontinence)

• Neurological changes (memory changes, headaches, body pain)

What are some Naturopathic Approaches to supporting symptoms of perimenopause?

While perimenopause is something all women will experience as they transition into menopause, it is important to note each woman experiences perimenopause differently. This is why an individualized approach is critical when supporting women who are in this transition phase. It is also helpful to work with a practitioner that can rule out other conditions and root causes to your symptoms and tailor your treatment plan precisely to your presentation. Naturopathic medicine uses multiple modalities and tools to support women through perimenopause, some are highlighted below.

Some Naturopathic approaches for Perimenopause:

- Evidence-based supplementation to address nutritional deficiencies, optimize cycle regularity and alleviate hormonal symptoms

- Nutritional support to help optimize hormonal health, reduce inflammation and support adequate nutrient intake for healthy skin, muscles and bones

- Sleep support and stress management techniques

- Acupuncture and acupressure for cycle regulation, mood and more  

- Hydrotherapy and heat therapy techniques for pain management

- Botanicals/herbs for menstrual regularity and cycle regularity

- Lifestyle modifications for improved quality of life

- Hormone replacement therapy

It is important to note that every case is different and there is no one size fits all approach. If you suspect you may be in perimenopause and don’t know where to start – you are not alone. Meet with a Naturopathic Doctor to start your health journey and learn how to best support your body during this time.

Dr. Domenique Barbaro, ND