All about Perimenopause

Perimenopause is the phase before menopause where you begin to experience a change in the length of your periods and duration of your bleeding. It can start as early as 5-10 years before the actual menopause.

If you are above 35 and are experiencing changes to your periods, only bleeding for 3 days instead of 5 or unexpectedly bleeding way over a week, it could be perimenopause. While perimenopause is a natural phenomenon, it does bring about a few changes in the body. Specifically in -

Bones - typically one feels weaker or some kind of pain in the joints. The knee, back or neck tends to hurt and especially just around periods or ovulation or even in response to a long day at work. But nothing really shows up in the reports.

Brain - some women experience a kind of a brain fog, where they seem to forget what they called you for, entered the room for, or the name of their childhood friend.

Heart - while no major heart event is expected, changes to lipid profile - cholesterol and triglycerides and chances of high BP can go up in this phase.

Hormones - the changing ratios of progesterone, estrogen and testosterone, can mean everything from adult acne to a bloated stomach.

You also begin to see changes to a) your urination where your bladder doesn’t seem to empty itself as effortlessly as it used to, and b) loss of hair lustre & volume to skin pigmentation and also c) the thermo-regulation, so hot flushes and the like.

This is truly your time to realign your life’s priorities and shine. So here’s what I would recommend -

1. Stop chasing the scales and chase consistency with exercise instead - this is invariably the time when you gain some weight but if you are weight focussed in this phase, then all the symptoms aggravate. This time, get down to just showing up for yourself 3/ week. Ideally a day each for yoga, strength and cardio so we are looking at 3 hrs per week of exercise time.
2. Time to give up on the task based approach and learn a new hobby or skill. This thing of having checklist that goes into the next day or next week, doesn’t work. The brain needs a new thing to do, a break from the routine and the adventure of learning. So every dream you gave up on, awaken it and pursue it for a full year even if you get bored of it. Mental health is a long game, you are looking at 30-50 years of being fully functional with your brain so get working at it now.
3. Eat to nurture and not punish yourself for being fat/ overweight –
- Daily dose of nuts (peanuts are my personal favourite) is a must, especially if breast tenderness is one of the issues you are dealing with. The B6 from nuts just works like magic. - and of course also keep up with the soaked black raisins & kesar 10 days prior to your periods from the Ease PMS study.
- Root vegetables and raw banana, remain an underutilised food group. This is especially useful if you are experiencing heavy and lengthy periods.
- And last but not the least, a glass of chaas with your lunch as the perfect pick me up for your mood and calm me down for your gut. Dahi set with raisins also works wonders if you are generally feeling low or lethargic.

So girls, perimenopause is not the monster that it’s made out to be but it’s important to know that building long lasting healthy habits while you are still young is really the key to a good life.

#perimenopause #women #health

[geetasharma]

अनेकानेक धन्यवाद जी।मै भावना व्यक्त नही कर पा रही हू । एक हितचिंतक मार्गदर्शन जैसे मा के रूप दिख रही है आप ।🎉😊

[shubhadauk]

Rujuta Ma’am, thank you for posting this. 🙏🏼 I am 37 & experiencing all of this. Was very confused as all my tests came normal. I have been getting adult acne lately & put on some weight despite exercising consistently. But your video explained all of this & now I feel some sense of acceptance. 😊

[anitaiyer]

You’re a national treasure, Rujuta! India is lucky to have you!! Keep up the good work.

[tomabalakrishnan]

Dear ma'am
Good morning, I don't have the words to thank I'm 43 and have been suffering for the last 1.5 years. But your post have cleared it all.

[namratat]

I am 57 years and my periods are going good, exactly 28 days cycle, I feel healthy and happy. It’s becoz of proper fasting, eating fresh diet, keeping myself busy.
I do strength training, jumping, cycling. My knees are healthy too.

If you want the same just me!!

[shambhavisrivastava]

Itni calmly explain karte hue kabhi nahi dekhi thi isse pehle ma'am ko She is always jaandar hyper energetic

[AbhaMALHOTRA-lc]

Thanx for such useful session, which any body can understand and get rid off many confusions during this phase of life.
A great support to females of this age group of society.
Hearty thanx again

[shavetasawhney]

One of your best videos ...loved each bit of it! Thanks.

[CSArenaByNeha-fwqq]

Rujuta ji aap ki ye video mere liye vardaan h... Main is saal 39 yrs ki ho gyi hu.. Aur mujhe already hot flushes, gussa, weight gain, skin change... Experience ho rha h.. And main depressed feel kr rhi thi..

[joyful]

I'm 46 and experiencing all these. Thank you sooo much for solving my worries and queries ❤

[anuthomas]

There is so much wisdom in all that you share. The subtle humour in the delivery of the fact helps to retain it. Thanks for discussing this topic.

[sahibabasir]

Really so thoughtful video for ladies like us who are suffering with all these symptoms but do not know exactly what to do. Very great work ❤

[diauser]

well said, am 38 and can relate fully to every point discussed here,
was confused as to what is gone wrong with me in every direction,
thanks for the information and guidance that it is time to take care of self 😀


PMS cramps of one week prior is killing me literally, along with knee pain, heart issues, mind issues, otehr pain etc, am crying in pain now actually,

[dipalihafiz]

'Humko hamari sehat ka nahin pada hota hai, jitna selfie ka' 👌👌
Thanks Rujuta, it was bang on, we have never met but it seemed you knew what I am going through in and out. ❤

[sumansharma-qhzh]

Itni badia tareeke se bataya poora dimag me bitha liya aise hi karungi👍🙏🌸🌷🌹❤️❤️❤️❤️

[priyakadam]

Hi
I am grateful to you for giving us so much of information which rather our parents did not have to guide us. But you have come as an angel. Thank you so much.
I haven’t got my periods since last one year. But I am experiencing all sorts of things that you have said. I am going through hell but I am trying to keep cool and follow your instructions as possible. Trying to keep my mind away from thinking that I am getting gaining weight, having knee pain, tennis elbow, sciatica, shoulder pain etc etc
Thank you so much. Your videos keep me motivated. God bless you. Thank you

[snehun]

Such a wonderful explanation mam.. just realised what I was experiencing last one to two yrs was all about this..

[jyotideshpande]

I m in perimenopause...but nobody told me all this...I m so very greatful to you..thanks alot for this video..❤

[sudeshnam]

God bless mam, you are the only person who has mentioned breast pain ... Suffered all through now 45, it's very less

[mansik]

Thank you. All the issues that I was facing has been addressed in this video. ❤ I have learnt so much and now I will apply .