perimenopause

The Challenge of Perimenopause/Menopause

Article I Learned about in January 2018

Article I Learned about in January 2019

I am blessed to be able to share this post. I am in the midst of perimenopause, the transition period leading up to menopause. I am told that under normal circumstances, menopause is a year without periods. The longest I have gone so far is 3 months. I am blessed to have all my body parts and going through it as natural as possible other than my brain medication. As one with a rare metabolism (1 to 2 out of 1,000), my transition is not as easy as it is for most. The above article talks about the challenge of this time for some women. I discovered the BBC article in January 2019 while on my road to recovery from the worst of my transition. Not much research available even in the United Kingdom.

I recently got back from the annual PSI Conference in Portland, Oregon. As challenging of a trip it was, I was blessed to present some of my lived experience and share the stage with Dr. Christi Hibbert. The title of the presentation was The Hormone Factor. Despite technical difficulties and nervousness on my part, so much important information was shared in the short time given to present.

I learned that our 2nd brain is our gut so what we eat is critical to our health. Also that under normal circumstances, there are differences between the male and female brain. I believe we should embrace these differences and work together to find optimal health for each individual. We are individuals and each of us is unique. We know general things but each person has to find what works best for his or her body and health. I am blessed to have good access to good healthcare. Many do not.

I will continue to write this blog post as I am able but my focus right now is my family and my health. I am grateful for the journey I have had and look forward to my future journey. Thank you for sharing my journey with me.

Fall is Finally Here

November blessings.jpg

November has arrived.  I am thankful that the fall season has begun.  The year 2017 has been a difficult year for me due to hormone changes from perimenopause, the tragic death of a close friend, and several unexpected hospitalizations.  Some of the things that happened in 2017 will never make sense to me but I am coming to a place of peace.  The stigma relating to mental health challenges is still common.  I have always been an optimist and this past year has put my optimism to the test.  More than ever I have really had to learn to focus on the positive things in my life.

I am grateful to the those in my life that have been available and stood by me through this challenging year.  I continue to have faith and hope despite all that has happened. It can take years to actually reach menopause but I hear it is not so bad once it officially arrives. I will continue to encourage and advocate to the best of my ability as I transition into this new phase of my life. I hope the fall season is calm and a blessing to us all.