Navigating Perimenopause and Menopause: Are You Experiencing the Signs?

Megan Hayward • July 24, 2024

Do you feel like something has changed lately…...Could you be entering Peri Earth?  

Hello this is Mimi Moon Meno reporting to you from Peri Earth, as in the wonderful land of Perimenopause! I am thrilled to be here with the team from D8 Training to share with you the symptoms of Perimenopause and what you can do to ensure that you are as Positively Charged as possible as you flow though this wonderous and enlightening stage of mid-life.

I am the world’s first Meno Concierge! Helping women navigate their menopause journey through Movement, Mindset and Modify practices. 
I had never even heard the term ‘Perimenopause’ until I was at least 2 years into my own personal experience. And because I was not aware of the distinction between Perimenopause and Menopause, I continued to suffer in silence and to be misdiagnosed. But you don’t have to!

My Perimenopause started at 38, perhaps a year or so before (knowing what I know now!), I hit many brick walls that were completely unexpected. I struggled with everything, because I had fallen in to the 20% of women who will have symptoms so severe that they dramatically impact your life. My menopause journey started like most women with a change in my menstrual cycle, however after experiencing almost all of the 40 something symptoms, in a short period of time, being diagnosed as seriously iron deficient and advised that I shouldn’t be driving, and that I could have bowel cancer, I became depressed. You can read my full Peri story on my website here.

We are all different, so we start perimenopause and menopause at different ages. Some of us may notice signs of change like irregular periods in our 40s. However, for others, we can experience changes in our mid-30s.

Perimenopause (Peri Meno) is the first stage “around or near menopause”. It can last for 2 to 12 years before Menopause (Meno) and by all accounts is the time you will likely experience the most symptoms. It is the lead up to your final period (Yay!). Meno is defined as, 12 months and 1 day without having a period and on average occurs at age 51 and means that we are no longer reproductive. Then there is Post Menopause (Post Meno) and that is the final stage where your body adjusts to the new normal in terms of hormone levels.

Perimenopause in short, is our bodies way of slowing down to stop, our reproductive system, and transitioning to post reproductive, meaning our ovaries are running out of eggs, in preparation for Meno and that means fluttering hormones. The key hormones at play in this change are estrogen and progesterone and as they usually balance each other, this is why you will notice changes.

Peri Meno and Meno brings a range of physical and emotional indicators, however, not all of us will experience symptoms; in fact, 20% of us will have no symptoms (lucky you!), while 60% of us experience mild to moderate symptoms, and 20% of us have symptoms so severe that they significantly interfere with daily life. For me, I seem to have fallen in the severe end, for a couple of years, but it has eased off and I am coming out of the other side, and I know you will to. The symptoms can feel like you are spiralling out of control, however, look at what you are experiencing with a lens of love. This is a spectacular transformation and important for you and our species survival. 

There are 40 known symptoms and counting and they can include any of the following:  

You can view the full list here.

The key thing if you are wondering about your stage of this life process is to understand how to describe your symptoms, and how they are impacting your quality of life. I can help you with that; noting all symptoms, their severity and how they are impacting you. You are your best advocate, but you need to know what to describe and what tests to ask for, when visiting your GP, reproductive health specialist, or complementary medicine therapist. Remember this is a normal stage of life, so don’t feel embarrassed or ashamed, you can talk about anything, and you should ask every question!

 

Keep in mind at this stage of life there could be other reasons you are experiencing changes, it is not only changes in levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, you should consider your thyroid, adrenal stress, blood work and vitamin deficiencies. They all play a part in midlife.


You are in control of most of what you will experience at this time, and by that, I mean, if you can follow the mantra of Movement, Mindset, Modify; then you will have the power and resilience through this transition. 


You need Movement. Even if it is just 15mins a day, but the more you move and the more diversity you include in your movement, including strength training, as well as bringing nature and fresh air into it, the better you will feel, and your body and mind will pay you back positively for it. 


You need to harness your mind and have a positive Mindset, in every aspect of your life. Be a positive thinker, make the best out of every situation, focus on the things you can control and let go of the things you cannot. Remember positively charged objects attract each other! 


Take the first step and Modify the things that are no longer working for you. Weather that is alcohol, sugar, food, work hours, friendships, hobbies; basically, anything that is not bringing positive vibrations for you and is making your symptoms more sever needs to be modified. Women have 3 capital P’s of positive transformation in our lives. Puberty, Pregnancy (if this your path), and Perimenopause. Each stage is a time of incredible flux. I worked out early on that I needed to embrace the modify part of my journey and trust me, this is where you will find the most resilience, growth, and courage in the Meno morphing process.


You can reach me anytime via my website for a Shout! Shout Let it all out! Session. Sending positive vibrations, Mimi x

Megan Hayward from Mimi Moon Meno

Megan Hayward is a qualified Menopause Champion, as certified by the Menopause Experts Group (UK) and soon to be Certified Women’s Health & Wellness Coach. She holds an MBA, and a Master’s in Applied Project Management (MAPM), and Diploma in Interior Design, but above all she is just like you, a fully Qualified Midlife Woman who started looking for answers; which she now shares, to make women's journey as positively charged as possible! 


To learn further about Mimi Moon Memo services or to book a session with Megan, click here.

Follow Mimi Moon Memo on Instagram here.

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