It’s been a while since I put pen to, well, virtual paper. Truth is, I haven’t been feeling quite right these past few months. A debilitating drop in energy, a frustrating brain fog, unusual spotting and joint pain. Oh, the joint pains! It couldn’t just be the change of the season, I thought to myself. With Vata season creeping in, my body always shows some signs of dryness and restlessness, but what I was experiencing was beyond this. And then it hit me: I was entering perimenopause.
It started subtly at first—a few sleepless nights here and there, a peculiar fogginess in my thoughts, and a creeping sense that something was slightly off with my body. I chalked it up to stress, overwork, or maybe just the natural ebb and flow of life. But as time went on, the signs became harder to ignore: persistent brain fog clouded my ability to focus, joint pain in my hips and lower back left me feeling stiff and sluggish, and sleepless nights.
Recognizing the Signs
The first sign that caught my attention was the brain fog. As a proud sharp-as-a-tack Virgo, who has always prided herself on being meticulous and intentional, the inability to focus or recall simple information was both frustrating and concerning. I found myself asking, “Why can’t I think clearly? What’s wrong with me?” This mental haze was often accompanied by bouts of confusion about what was happening in my body and mind.
Then came the physical symptoms. I began to notice an overall stiffness in my hips, lower back, and joints that made everyday activities feel tiresome. Insomnia reared its head, leaving me restless at night, often accompanied by countless midnight trips to the bathroom. Restless legs and headaches added to the discomfort, creating a cycle of poor sleep and fatigue.
Perimenopause is not a common term. This often-overlooked yet deeply significant phase in a woman’s life is something many women may not even be familiar with. In fact, its validity as a distinct stage is sometimes questioned, and its symptoms, ranging from hormonal shifts to emotional and physical changes, are rarely addressed with the care they deserve.
This lack of acknowledgment leaves many women navigating this transitional time feeling confused, unsupported, and unprepared. This silence creates a gap, one where us women often struggle to find accurate information, effective solutions, or even empathy.
Perimenopause is not just a “prelude” to menopause; it’s a distinct phase that deserves attention, understanding, and proactive care.
So I made it my mission to bridge this gap and dive deep in my research to understand the symptoms of perimenopause and how I can best support my body during this phase.
Understanding perimenopause
Perimenopause is an extended transitional stage and it signals the beginning of the natural decline in female reproductive function, a process that unfolds over several years. As we age, the number of viable eggs in the ovaries decreases, leading to significant changes in the body’s hormonal landscape. Key hormones like estrogen and progesterone, which regulate the menstrual cycle and play vital roles in overall health, begin to fluctuate. These hormonal shifts can cause noticeable changes in the menstrual cycle, such as irregular periods, heavier or lighter flow, and increased variability in timing.
Beyond the menstrual cycle, these changes also influence other areas of health, including mood, sleep quality, skin elasticity, bone density, and even cardiovascular health. Perimenopause is not a sudden onset; it’s a gradual process that can start as early as a woman’s late 30s or early 40s, lasting anywhere from a few months to over a decade.
Perimenopause is a uniquely personal experience, and can vary greatly from one woman to the next. No two journeys through perimenopause are the same—your symptoms, their intensity, and the timeline can all differ based on factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and overall health.
However, one thing is certain: every woman will go through it. Perimenopause is a natural and inevitable phase of life, a bridge between the reproductive years and menopause. It’s not a medical condition to “fix” but rather a transition to understand, honor, and navigate with awareness.
Beginning My Journey
Realizing I was in perimenopause marked the start of a new chapter for me—a journey of learning, self-care, and adaptation. While I’m only just beginning to navigate this transition, I’ve already started taking steps to better understand and support my body during this time.
Exploring Gentler Yoga Practices
I turned to softer forms of yoga, such as somatic yoga and slow flow vinyasa. These practices helped me release tension in my hips and lower back while promoting overall relaxation. Yoga has become a sanctuary where I can connect with my body, calm my mind, and foster a sense of balance.
Supportive Massages
Another addition to my monthly routine has been massage therapy. I’ve started seeing my friend Janneke, who specializes in therapeutic and energetic massage, for regular treatments—and it’s been a game-changer! These sessions have been deeply supportive in alleviating physical stiffness and helping me feel more connected to my body.
At the same time, I continued practicing warm oil self-massage, abhyanga, which I do daily. This helps me keep a sense of balance throughout the day, and leaves me feeling so much calmer, all while deeply nourishing my skin.
I use sesame oil for my daily abhyanga practice to which I add Mahanarayan Oil, an Ayurvedic medicated oil that helps maintain overall vitality, alleviates joint and muscle aches, and reduces inflammation.
Rethinking My Diet
As with everything I do, this time too I turned to Ayurveda for support during this transition. I’ve incorporated more soft, moist, and warm foods into my diet to reduce Vata dosha, which tends to go out of balance during perimenopause. Ghee, infused with shatavari—an outstanding herb for women’s health—has become a staple. Shatavari is known for its ability to support hormonal balance, nourish the reproductive system, and provide strength and vitality.
At the same time, I added foods that are high in phytoestrogen to supplement the declining estrogen levels. Foods like flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, edamame, tofu and soy milk have now become part of my regular diet.
Supplements
I started looking into different supplements more suited to what my body needs. While I’m still experimenting with what works best for me, some of my the changes I made include:
- Switching from Magnesium Citrate to Magnesium Bisglycinate: while magnesium citrate is excellent in supporting muscle relaxation and aiding digestion, magnesium bisglycinate is more helpful in promoting a restful, restorative sleep.
- Adding WellCo Super Elixir to my wellness routine: Chyawanprash, a potent ayurvedic rejuvenating mix, has been my go-to for overall rejuvenation and wellness for years. However, my body’s needs were evolving as I transitioned into perimenopause, so I started looking at additional supplements. After researching different available options, I started using WellCo Super Elixir, which is a supplement that contains bioavailable vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and adaptogenic herbs that target the key areas impacted during perimenopause.
Slowing Down
Perhaps the most important change I’ve made is in how I approach my life as a whole. I’ve taken a step back to be gentler with my body, mind, and spirit. This means listening to my needs, allowing myself to rest, and letting go of the pressure to be perfect or push through discomfort.
These changes are still a work in progress, but I’m finding that they help me feel more grounded and energized.
Reflecting on the Path Ahead
Discovering that I was in perimenopause has been both a revelation and a beginning. It’s helped me understand the shifts happening within me and has given me the motivation to explore how best to care for myself during this time. While there is much more to learn and many adjustments to make, I’m embracing this journey with curiosity and openness.
If you’re starting to navigate this phase of life, know that it’s okay to not have all the answers right away. For me, this is a time to slow down, reflect, and nurture a deeper connection with myself. Perimenopause is not just a phase to endure—it’s an opportunity to realign, to care, and to grow into the next stage of life.
