Early Signs of Perimenopause That Busy Moms Miss

During my conversation with Sarah Merrill Hall on Bottle Service, we talked about how easy it is for moms to explain away early perimenopause. When you're raising young kids, exhaustion and stress feel like the obvious culprits for everything.

It Can Start Earlier Than You Think

Perimenopause can begin up to ten years before your final period. For many women that means their late thirties or early forties, right in the thick of parenting.

Signs Worth Paying Attention To

• Cycles that get shorter, heavier or less predictable

• PMS that suddenly feels much worse

• Waking at 3 a.m. and struggling to fall back asleep

• New anxiety or rage that feels out of character

• Weight shifting to the midsection despite no change in habits

• Joint aches, heart palpitations or night sweats

Practical First Steps

Start tracking your cycle and symptoms for a few months. Prioritize protein, strength training and sleep as much as your season of life allows. Then find a provider who will listen and look at the whole picture, including hormones, thyroid and iron.

Early perimenopause is very treatable. Support can range from lifestyle changes to progesterone for sleep and mood to more comprehensive hormone therapy. The earlier you recognize it, the more options you have.

Listen to the Full Conversation

We went deeper into early perimenopause symptoms and how to regain your energy in the full episode. Listen on Bottle Service. If you'd like help figuring out what's right for your body, learn more about bioidentical hormone replacement or work with me.