Maria Katrina Paras

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What is Perimenopause?

<p>Let’s talk about something most of us weren’t taught in health class—<strong>perimenopause</strong>. If puberty was the hormone-fueled entrance into womanhood, then perimenopause is the graceful, if sometimes bumpy, transition out of the reproductive years.</p><p>So what exactly is <strong></strong>perimenopause<strong></strong>?<strong></strong><br/></p><p>Perimenopause is the phase before menopause when your hormones—particularly estrogen and progesterone—start fluctuating. It can begin in your late 30s to early 40s and last anywhere from a few months to over a decade. Unlike menopause, which is officially diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without a period, perimenopause is marked by unpredictable cycles, mood shifts, and physical changes that can feel both subtle and dramatic.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:600px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17465209774422.png" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/><span class="fr-inner"></span></span></span></div><p>Perimenopause is the phase before menopause when your estrogen and progesterone hormones start fluctuating</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Understanding the Journey</strong></div><p>Perimenopause isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience. For some, it&#x27;s a gentle shift; for others, it’s a full-blown hormonal upheaval. Common signs include irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, mood swings, anxiety, brain fog, and changes in libido.</p><p><strong>Dr. Kelly Culwell, a board-certified OB/GYN</strong>, emphasizes that many women mistake perimenopausal symptoms for other health issues, leading to misdiagnoses: “You’d be surprised how many women come in thinking they have thyroid issues or depression, when in reality, their hormones are just shifting.”</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:600px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17465211058843.png" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/><span class="fr-inner">Common signs include irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, mood swings, anxiety, brain fog, and changes in libido.</span></span></span></div><div><strong>The Emotional Landscape</strong></div><p>Beyond the physical, perimenopause can significantly impact mental health. A study by <strong>University College London</strong> found that women in the perimenopausal stage have a 40% higher risk of depression compared to those who are premenopausal. <strong>Dr. Mary Claire Haver</strong>, author of <strong>The New Menopause</strong>, notes, “Women often feel like they’re losing control, not realizing their brain chemistry is being impacted by fluctuating estrogen. That emotional dissonance can feel isolating.”</p><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><strong>Managing Perimenopause: A Multifaceted Approach</strong></div><p>This isn’t about “fixing” your body—it’s about supporting it through change. Here’s how:</p><p><strong>Nutrition: </strong>Add a tablespoon of ground flaxseeds to your morning smoothie—flax is packed with phytoestrogens that can help ease hot flashes. Try tofu stir-fries or snack on edamame for a soy-rich protein boost. High-quality milk and dairy products support calcium levels, which become crucial as estrogen drops.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1746522080548Screen_Shot_2025-05-06_at_5.00.41_PM-removebg-preview.png" style="width:300px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p style="text-align:center">Shop: Brown Flaxseed Meal, Php 295, <a href="https://shop.healthyoptions.com.ph/products/healthy-options-brown-flaxseed-meal-397g" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Healthy Options</a></p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:600px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17465211554054.png" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/><span class="fr-inner">Nutrition plays an important role when navigating perimenopause.</span></span></span></div><p><strong>Exercise: </strong>A brisk 30-minute walk five times a week can work wonders for mood and sleep. Strength training twice a week—think light dumbbells or resistance bands—helps counteract muscle loss and supports bone density.</p><p><strong>Mindfulness:</strong> Carve out 10–15 minutes daily for meditation with apps like Insight Timer or Headspace. Even simple breathwork before bed can calm the nervous system. Gentle stretches and journaling can be grounding during emotionally intense days.</p><p><strong>Supplements: </strong>Black cohosh, evening primrose oil, and magnesium glycinate are often used to help with hot flashes, anxiety, and sleep. Dr. Haver also recommends omega-3s and vitamin D for brain and bone health. But always check in with your physician before adding anything new to your regimen.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1746522202490Screen_Shot_2025-05-06_at_5.02.49_PM-removebg-preview.png" style="width:250px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p style="text-align:center">Shop: Solgar Evening Primrose Oil 1300mg, Php 1,375, <a href="https://shop.healthyoptions.com.ph/products/solgar-evening-primrose-oil-1300mg-60-softgels" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Healthy Options</a></p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/wellness/2025/2/28/the-japanese-art-of-konenki-how-japanese-women-embrace-menopause-1206" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><br/></a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/wellness/2025/2/28/the-japanese-art-of-konenki-how-japanese-women-embrace-menopause-1206" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">READ: The Wisdom of Konenki: How Japanese Women Embrace Menopause With Grace</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Embracing the Transition</strong></div><p>Perimenopause isn’t the end of vibrancy—it’s a recalibration. As Dr. Jerilynn Prior, a Canadian endocrinologist (M.D., specializing in menstrual cycles and the effects of hormones on women&#x27;s health), explains, “Perimenopause is not just a hormonal drop; it&#x27;s a dynamic shift that asks us to pay attention and recalibrate how we care for ourselves.”</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:600px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17465213470441.png" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/><span class="fr-inner">Knowing what to expect during this season of your womanhood gives you the power to enter it gracefully. </span></span></span></div><p>So yes, this phase might come with foggy mornings, fiery nights, and emotions that feel like a tide. But it’s also a call to tune in, slow down, and embrace this powerful transition with wisdom, humor, and a bit of lavender oil on your pulse points.</p><p>Because you? You’re just getting started in a new phase of your womanhood. And you have the power to enter it gracefully.</p>

<p>This isn’t about “fixing” your body—it’s about supporting it through change</p>

This isn’t about “fixing” your body—it’s about supporting it through change

Vagina Talks: A Wellness Guide to Perimenopause

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Vagina Talks: A Wellness Guide to Perimenopause

Danah Gutierrez

Published May 06, 2025 05:00 PM PHT

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Updated May 15, 2025 03:03 PM PHT

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