Here, seven women share whats worked for them to quell symptoms during the hormonal roller-coaster ride of perimenopause.
I do Pilates four days a week.
So Kaufman started doing Pilates, which she says is the first workout shes ever done consistently.
Larisa Zaytseva/Adobe Stock
I prioritize protein and fiber.
She also started experiencing brain fog, disrupted sleep, and mood swings.
She also started using an estrogen patch and taking progesterone.
All these things really helped me to start feeling like myself again, she says.
I started low-dose hormone therapy.
About a year ago,Swapna Patel, 45, started feeling overly anxious.
She felttired all the timeand just not like herself.
I knew something was really off, and all my research pointed to perimenopause, Patel says.
She also sleeps better and is able to work out again.
I write about my frustrations.
Shed often wake up at 2 a.m. covered in sweat.
She now also uses an estrogen patch to keep symptoms at bay.
I overhauled my lifestyle habits.
Gabriele Sewtzhad her last period in February 2020, so shes officially in menopause.
I went on anti-anxiety medication.
Two years ago,Deborah Keltnerhad a partial hysterectomy.
But not knowing when they might start or resolve made them all the more distressful, fueling additional anxiety.
She also started having stiffness and pain in her hips and hands.
Perimenopause inspired me to do it, and honestly I wish I had started years ago.
I have a very strict sleeping schedule.
Her feet also felt really hot at night, which kept her up, she says.
The general lack of sleep was affecting hermental healthand triggering her depression.
Shes also switched from cardio-based workouts to Pilates and high-intensity interval training to build strength and core stability.
it’s possible for you to start with your primary care physician or ob-gyn.
Another option is to find a practitioner certified in menopause care via The Menopause Societysdirectory.
Doctors will discuss your symptoms and recommend the best treatment for you.
)andprovide a low dose of estrogen to regulate your periods and relieve other symptoms.
Despite thecontroversy and misinformationthats been spread about this treatment, estrogen is very safe, Dr. Fitz says.
There are multiple very effective options that could work for you, Dr. Fitz adds.
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