8 Things I wish I'd known about perimenopause before going through it.

In this video I list 8 things I wish I'd known about perimenopause before going through it. This is knowledge on perimenopause that can make the transition much easier and less scary for many perimenopausal women.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor! The information in my videos is based on my research and personal experiences and is presented from my perspective. Please contact your physician for medical advice.

Chapters
0:00 - Introduction
0:28 - Things I wish I'd known about perimenopause
5:03 - Final thoughts

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[tracyr]

What I hate the most is the joint pain that is associated with menopause. It is a nightmare especially in the shoulder and hip areas.

[Knit]

It is weird that we are not better informed about PM. I thought I was going crazy. Months of headaches, felt like I could not open my eyes fully, tired, morning sickness. I got new glasses (made no difference ofcourse), tried light therapy (in case it was a winterdepression). I felt terrible. And when I got the doctor with all these complaints, and she asked: does depression run in your family? I could cry. I felt crushed. Felt like this was my fault. Also felt judged by her. I asked her could this be PM? She said: maybe a bit of both. Its something we all have to go through.
I never went back to her. I was at my lowest, but thankfully things got slowely better. Walking helped me a lot. I expected more sympathy from a female doctor. She was too young, but her time will come😊

[elizabethconroy]

The truth is the Menopause is never discussed by Mothers to Daughters
And
Doctors are clueless
I was lucky
At 39, when having horrific symptoms I went to an Iraqi Doctor and he knew all about it
He started me on H R T, adjusted as needed
Wish other Women were so lucky 🍀
Thanks, Kari 😊

[kellyramsey]

I wish I would’ve found you when I went through it. Doctors were clueless which made me feel worse inside. I’m 2 years into meno and so far it’s been a breeze for me, compared to the hell I went through during peri. My ADD played a big part too. Thank you so much for these videos. I know you’re helping so many women❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[cdl]

I started peri at 41/42 yo and didn’t know anything. Post meno now at 50 and wish I knew all these things back then. So unpleasant and honestly a struggle. Still showing symptoms even the most unsuspecting symptoms can be peri or meno. New symptoms were appearing every 6 mos. But I got through it naturally no HRT. Waiting for all this to settle and feel more like myself and for the unwanted weight gain to go away 😫 What really surprised me and affected me were depression (thought I could be suicidal), low mood all the time, energy zap, high anxiety, feeling unsafe, paranoia, when outside worrying there’s no toilet 😆 or being too far from home, sensitivity to certain sounds (doorbell, ambulance, phone ringing, knock on door, any surprising sound, brain fog, forgetfulness, wanting to isolate/hide, weight gain, bloating and body shape changes (thoughts were… Whose body is this? What the heck happened?), intolerance to food, digestive issues (not enjoying food or eating out worrying if I’ll have an intolerance attack 😆 - gas, stomach noises, diarrhea, tummy ache, indigestion), bodyaches, lack of motivation, over all feeling of ‘I don’t care’. Thank goodness 3 years of this the world was in lockdown. I could talk for days about this but obviously won’t do that 😂

[kerridwynntheacegoblin]

My 60-something neuro had NO IDEA perimenopause was a thing until I told her about mine and my older sister's trials with it. The lack of education is the worst part, but honestly, how is that any different from other female woes constantly ignored by medical science?

[Lisa-]

I think I've had random symptoms on and off for years! Strange heart palpitations causing me to wear a monitor for a couple of days and being told I'm fine. A blood test once a year (checking only estriadol and at no specific time) and being told "you're not in perimenopause". Tendonidits for no reason and the docs being baffled. Skin conditions with no diagnosis. Forgetting people's names whom I've known for years. Ugh! And now that I'm 52 and having irregular and sometimes scary cycles, a doctor finally tells me I'm in perimenopause. 🙄

[Mutsel]

I'm almost 48 and I'm glad I found your channel. My mother passed away when she was 36, so I have no way to ask or compare things. 🤐
I'm having a hard time losing my old self.
The extra weight that won't come off... The nights full of palpitations (and no sleep!) after drinking a few beers...
And everything hurts. 😶
It makes me sad. 🙁

[Jayne]

vertigo! so severe I was hospitalised - no diagnosis - they thought it was a stroke before mri was clear, at age 57 i've spent the last year hyper anxious due to this. Thank you for opening my eyes to the possibility it could be menopause related ❤

[haleyparson]

Thanks for this video, Kari! I wasn't aware of perimenopause until earlier this year, after suffering through it for three years already (beginning at age 34). I couldn't figure out what in the world was wrong with me. The bloating and weight gain were the worst in my first year. I gained 20 pounds even though I was eating a plant-based diet. That was extremely bizarre.

I started taking online ballet classes for adults in January and it has helped so much with weight loss and anxiety. I discovered that intense cardio wasn't helpful for my body because it was already stressed enough. Strength training and low-impact workouts are the way to go!

I appreciate your content and helpful information!!!

[seattleredhead]

I turn 50 in December, and the symptoms over the last few years absolutely confounded me. Suddenly my straight hair was curly, I became lactose-intolerant, and I could no longer drink diet sodas without being trapped in the bathroom in pain the next day. The frustrating part is that I have Hashimoto's, where my immune system has totally destroyed my thyroid and I have to take thyroid replacement for the rest of my life. I'm pretty sure now that it was the combination of perimenopause and hypothyroidism that landed me in the hospital in the need of a blood transfusion because my body stopped making red blood cells. They scoped both ends of me, took a lot of blood tests, but didn't find anything wrong. I take an iron supplement now and am feeling a lot better. I have a female doctor at the VA who only sees female vets. She does her best to calm me down every time I freak out about a new symptom. I usually have to take another blood test each time just to rule out the possibility of needing to have my thyroid medication increased, but it's good to get piece of mind that everything's ok.

[shannoncampbell]

I wish I had seen this video years ago!!!! I am turning 50 in two months and have experienced a lot of those terrifying symptoms as well. I also have a thyroid condition that was from early childhood so balancing hormones has been extra challenging. My doctor has offered zero insight or information about my issues. They just act like I’m crazy. I have dealt with hormones long enough to know I need to do my own research and have figured out the best treatments myself. I also am not a candidate for HRT. I am most disappointed in the lack of warning I got from the older women in my family. Ladies, tell your daughters so they can have resources early on. I tell mine (she is 23) because we don’t know if we will still be there later in life. They need the knowledge.

[reginaw]

The scariest thing is that doctors have no idea. Nobody helps you figuring out what’s going on.

[LurkerSmurf]

So many good points. I feel that health of aging should be covered in the senior year of high school the way puberty is in 5-6 grade. Even though it's way off, enough might sink in that these issues sound familiar 30-40 years down the road.

[margitvaram]

Yes, yes, and yes!! All of the above. I think I am in early perimenopause, and this video hits home to the T. I have had so many tests, blood work, ultrasounds, CT scans, x-rays & more, and doctors' visits including several specialists in the last 3 months, and no real answers, just that everything is fine, and that it is either congenital or age-related, and I have received no treatment suggestions either. Not even hormones were suggested. Thank you so much for all you do!!!

[rachelbrewin]

I'm 53 and nearly eleven months without a cycle (the home straight?!) I've had most of the various symptoms to some extent, a few changes to lifestyle and following your advice re: supplements and a phytoestrogens rich diet has made things a lot easier. Your channel is a godsend, thanks so much Kari.

[danacain]

Thank you so much for doing these videos. I'm 51, still going thru perimenopause. I've had wonky periods for the past 3 years, insomnia, anxiety, heart plantations, and horrible bloating, fatigue, brain fog, and many other symptoms. I feel like I'm going thru this by myself, because women just don't talk about it, ( including my mother). I'm waiting on hormone test results, praying something shows up to help. Thanks again for sharing your experiences.

[jennifersdaydream]

I am pretty close to menopause and have had several years of ultra weirdness. I learned everything I know about this time of life from you!! What is wrong with the entire medical profession—no comment. You’re a hero and give me hope. All my hair is falling out etc. But at least I know what time it is 😂

[amandaieraci]

Omg, the anxiety! I just started having stomach issues too, dizziness and slight vertigo! It’s nuts! I felt nuts!

[jacquelinewebber]

Hi I have been postmenopause five years now not one system has gone doctor don't understand been going through this for ten years just wish it will all end .hot body all day .earringing got wosre.not sleeping at all.my head hurts all day thank you for the videos you do for us xxx