Perimenopause, or the period shortly before menopause, can be a tough time. Because oestrogen levels are changing, many women find themselves with a number of different symptoms, which can include:
Hot flushes
"Brain fog" or other memory and focus issues
Sleep problems
Irregular periods
Joint pain
Changes in body weight and shape
There are many ways to manage these symptoms, including more conservative, non-medical approaches. From a lifestyle perspective:
Quitting smoking and reducing or avoiding alcohol are very important.
For women who are overweight, losing weight can greatly ease symptoms.
Dressing in layers you can remove, cutting back on caffeine, and avoiding spicy foods may also help.
Seeing a psychologist can also be a key part of managing perimenopause. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been shown to improve sleep, mood, and hot flushes. Hypnosis may also be effective, though therapies like mindfulness and relaxation are less strongly supported by research. For some women, these strategies are enough, but others may need medication, including hormonal or non-hormonal treatments. It’s also important to keep an eye on overall health during this time by managing conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol. If symptoms of perimenopause are a problem for you, the Juno program may be able to help.