Could this really be perimenopause?
Hot flashes, I mean hot facts
Perimenopause, you in danger girl.
Picture this. A woman, maybe like you, in her 40s enters my baltic office (youâre welcome) says I canât sleep, feel anxious, am gaining weight I donât want, and umm, outside of this room, am quite the sweaty Betty. And my skin! Donât even get me started.
Ok. Ok.
That allll has a name. Sure, youâre 41ish but Betty, youâre in perimenopause.
For a clinician, the shock and confusion that ensues can only be helped by an in depth honest conversation about whatâs happening and what you can do about it. Thereâs much to consider.
I totally get it too. Women often think that their symptoms arenât symptoms at all. You think itâs âjust normal life, my girlfriends can all vouch itâs the same for themâ. Is it though?
There is also an odd kind of medical paralysis around offering solutions to women. Hormones are powerful. Sexism is too.
Why did I not get offered hormone therapy?
A long time ago medical studies showed us that using some very specific hormones harmed some very specific women. Society took that and ran with it. We are juuust slowing down to see the forest for the trees.
In fact, just last week, a fresh pair of studies hot off the press added more confidence to the question that hormones can be safe and effective when used correctly for the right individual.
Our understanding and use of hormones isnât what it used to be 20 years ago. Our doctors are highly trained to help you navigate this seemingly complex world of hormones with greater ease.
Do I need to take hormones?
Plain and simple, no. If for whatever reason youâre not into hormone treatment we could not be more supportive of that. There may be medical reasons you canât take hormones too. There are plenty of effective lifestyle, dietary, stress management, non-hormonal and herbal options to help.
Below is a review on hormones for your further reading. Also you can find questionnaires that can help determine if itâs not just ânormal lifeâ bothering you.
Give it a shot, Betty. Chances are youâll be feeling better in a flash.
Some fun reads/listens:
Dr. Avrum Bluming on how we got HRT all wrong, in that itâs very right:
The Freshest Studies:
Up to date UBC Research and Resources on Perimenopause:
https://www.cemcor.ca/life-phase-information