Could perimenopause be behind the changes you’re feeling?
You walk into a room and forget why. You’re awake at 3 a.m., exhausted by lunchtime, and irritated by things you used to brush off. Your period has become unpredictable. Somewhere between taking care of everybody and trying to keep up, you find yourself saying, “I just don’t feel like myself anymore.”
Sis, that deserves a conversation.
Welcome to Sis, Let’s Talk. I’m Dr. Ashley, a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner with 18 years of experience in this specialty area. Each week, we’ll have honest conversations about hormones, health, and the things women often experience quietly.
Today, we’re beginning with perimenopause—the transition leading up to menopause. As our ovaries age, estrogen levels fluctuate and eventually decline. These changes usually begin in our 40s, but for some women, they start in their 30s—even while they’re still having regular periods.
And sis, estrogen’s influence goes far beyond your cycle. It helps support many systems throughout your body, including your brain, bones, heart, and vaginal and urinary health. That’s why this transition can affect how you sleep, think, feel, and function. Symptoms can overlap with other health conditions, making the hormonal connection easy to miss.
Does any of this sound familiar?
• Periods becoming irregular
• Hot flashes or night sweats
• Trouble falling or staying asleep
• Mood changes, including irritability or anxiety
• Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
• Joint aches and muscle discomfort
• Heart palpitations—a racing or fluttering feeling
• New or worsening headaches or migraines
• Vaginal dryness or discomfort during sex
• Urinary urgency or needing to pee more often
These symptoms and many more are real and you deserve to be heard and supported.
This week, I want you to jot down what’s changed, when it happens, and how it affects your day. Bring those notes to your healthcare provider, or schedule a consultation with me so we can talk through what you’re experiencing and explore your next steps. Then reach out to your girlfriends and ask, “Have any of you been feeling this way, too?” You might discover that someone you love has been suffering in silence—and your conversation could help her feel less alone.
There’s something comforting about being around women who get it. That’s what my free 3AM Society on Facebook is all about—a place to connect, share what you’re experiencing, and learn about your changing body alongside other women navigating this transition. I’d love to have you join us https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1HbXMK4BKS/.
