I have a solid marriage, a great one actually, but most nights I look over to my husband, who falls blissfully asleep as soon as his head hits the pillow, and I’m filled with RAGE. How does he fall asleep so quickly?!? How does his body let him STAY asleep?!
Most nights, even with the assistance of supplements, I sleep a fitful 4-5 hours.
That means the following day, my brain feels like a shaken snow globe. I’m scattered, chaotic, and, let me tell you, a TON of fun to be around (not).
Apparently, sleep disruption like I am experiencing is one of the many (many) symptoms of perimenopause. But sometimes, I feel like it’s something *I* have done wrong, something *I* must be doing right. As if it’s all in my head. I’m writing to tell you, it’s not.
You Are Not A Whiny Woman
This week, we invited Dr. Mary Claire Haver on the podcast to discuss all things menopause. I was able to read an advance copy of her new book, The New Menopause: Navigating Your Path Through Hormonal Change with Purpose, Power, and Facts. It will be released (ironically) the same day as our book and hers focuses on everything a woman needs to know to thrive during her hormonal transition and to help her take charge of her health.
Dr. Mary Claire explains that some of the symptoms we recognize now as perimenopause, used to be labeled: WW. That stood for Whiny Woman. We were told it was part of getting older, we were being hysterical, and it is all in our heads.
It’s important that partners learn more about this transition too so they can help be a support. In an interview, Dr. Mary Claire said that the equivalent to menopause for a man would be his testicles shriveling up and dying around age 50. (Can you imagine the medical advancements to stop this if it happened to men?)
You Are Not Alone
What I love about Dr. Mary Claire’s new book is that she not only explains what is happening, she also gives advice on how to work with your medical provider and solutions you can do to help. She has a Strategies Resource section for managing brain fog, nutrition, sleep, and beyond. We also discuss misinformation on hormone replacement therapy. FDA reported even though more than 85% of women 45 and older report menopausal symptoms, only 10.5% are currently replacing hormones after the ovaries stop making them.
Listen to the podcast and know that if you are going through any of this, you are not alone. This isn’t in your head. Most importantly, I am so happy Penn was part of this perimenopause discussion. I believe it’s important they know so they can be supportive partners during this crazy time in our lives:
