If life is a journey, perimenopause and menopause are that unexpected rollercoaster you didn’t exactly sign up for. You thought you were heading for a calm scenic train ride… then suddenly you’re upside down, hair flying, wondering who’s in charge of the controls?!
🎭 Welcome to Perimenopause: The Sneaky Warm-Up Act
Perimenopause usually sneaks in during your 40s (sometimes earlier, sometimes later). One day your cycle seems normal, the next it’s doing the cha-cha with no rhythm at all. According to the North American Menopause Society, this stage can last anywhere from 4 to 10 years. Yes, years. Don’t shoot the messenger.
Symptoms you might notice:
- Hot flashes (hello, sudden personal summer)
- Mood swings (crying at commercials… and then yelling at the dog)
- Sleep disappears for no reason (your brain’s automatic 3 a.m. wake-up alarm)
- Brain fog (keys in the fridge, milk in the cupboard ~ totally normal)
- Vaginal dryness (yep, nobody told us about that one either)
- Bladder issues (yet another surprise from left field)
👉 Fun fact: You can still get pregnant during perimenopause. Yep, just when you thought you were done with that game – Surprise!
🛑 Menopause: The Official Milestone
Menopause is officially reached when you’ve gone 12 consecutive months without a period. The average age? 51 (more like the entire decade!). The ovaries retire, estrogen levels stay low, and symptoms may either ease or keep hanging around like an unwelcome houseguest.
Science says:
- Around 75% of women experience hot flashes, which can last 7–10 years.
- Lower estrogen levels increase risks of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.
- Vaginal and urinary changes are common due to thinner tissues and less lubrication.
- Up to 50% of women report joint pain during and after menopause, especially in the knees, hips, hands, and lower back.
⚖️ Post-Hysterectomy Menopause (With Ovaries Still Intact)
Here’s a curveball: what if you’ve had a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus), but your ovaries are still hanging around?
- The basics: Without a uterus, you won’t have periods anymore (goodbye pads and tampons), but your ovaries may still produce hormones. That means you don’t go straight into menopause ~ you may still experience perimenopause or menopause symptoms later, at the “usual” age.
- The catch: Some women notice symptoms earlier than expected. Surgery can reduce blood flow to the ovaries, which may make them “retire” sooner than they would naturally.
- The confusion: Without a period to track, it’s harder to tell exactly when menopause begins. Hot flashes, night sweats, mood shifts, and sleep problems may become your clues.
👉 Research highlight: Women who keep their ovaries after hysterectomy often experience menopause a few years earlier than average.
The emotional side: It can feel tricky: you’ve lost your period (yay?), but you still get symptoms (boo!). Think of it like your body sending mixed messages. The important thing is, you’re not imagining it. And just like with natural menopause, there are tools and treatments to help.
💡 Pro tip: Keep talking to your provider about symptoms, even if you don’t have periods to “prove” what’s happening. Your story still counts.
🌺 My Personal Journey to Menopause
My road to menopause was anything but smooth. After years of wild and heavy cycles, I got an IUD in my 30s that lasted a full decade. When it came out (at my protest) my body greeted me with nonstop bleeding. Another IUD attempt a year later turned into a comedy act, ending with the discovery of a uterus full of fibroids. Another year of bleeding later, and I finally had a hysterectomy at the age of 50. I chose to keep my ovaries, hoping they’d still do their job.
A few months post-surgery, menopause slammed into me like a freight train. Mood swings, hot flashes, bladder surprises ~ you name it. Turns out my ovaries retired early anyway. With some trial and error, and eventually some help from medication, things leveled out. But now I’ve got the full menopause package. No guessing game about it anymore.
At least now I can say I’ve earned my spot on this rollercoaster and I’m hanging on with humor, a fan in one hand, and maybe a glass of wine in the other. 😉
🤯 Why It Feels Like a Plot Twist
It’s not just about hormones ~ it’s about identity, confidence, and sometimes wondering if you’re “falling apart.” (You’re not, promise.) Millions of women are right here with you, even if we’re all too busy fanning ourselves to talk about it.
👉 Research highlight: Up to 80% of women experience symptoms, but most don’t get help. Which is wild, because there are solutions!
💪 What Can Help (Besides Chocolate)
- Exercise: Keeps your bones strong, your mood lifted, and your sanity intact.
- Stress management: Yoga, meditation, or just locking yourself in the bathroom for 10 minutes of peace.
- Pelvic floor physical therapy: Yes, it’s a thing ~ and yes, it helps!
- Lifestyle: Balanced nutrition and sleep hygiene support mood, bone health, and weight.
- Supplements: Calcium, vitamin D, and omega-3s support bone and joint health; glucosamine and turmeric may also ease stiffness.
- Medical options: Hormone therapy (HRT) can reduce hot flashes and improve joint pain for some women. Talk to your doctor to see if it’s right for you.
- Community: Talking openly helps. You’re not alone – around 1.3 million women enter menopause each year in the U.S.
🌟 The Bright Side
Here’s the secret nobody tells you: menopause is not the end. It’s a new season ~ one with wisdom, resilience, and (hopefully) fewer tampons on your shopping list.
You’re not broken. You’re not losing it. You’re just stepping into a new chapter, sometimes sweaty, sometimes teary, but always stronger than you think.
And if nothing else, menopause gives you the perfect excuse to crank up the fan in the middle of winter. 😉
Millions of women are walking this same path-stumbling, learning, and finding resilience. You’re not alone, and together we’re stronger. 🌿
⚕️ Medical Disclaimer:
I’m sharing my personal experiences and general information about menopause, but I’m not offering medical advice. Always talk to your healthcare provider for guidance tailored to your own health and situation.