PERIMENOPAUSE
WHAT IS IT?
The perimenopause is a natural transition time in your life when your periods start to change as ovaries produce less estrogen, causing irregular periods and a vast range of physical and mental symptoms
It is marked by hormonal imbalance (estrogen, progesterone and testosterone) and it concludes when you haven’t had a period for 12 months as you have reached menopause.
DID YOU KNOW?
In the Netherlands, around 19% of working women aged 40 to 67 are in perimenopause, with a shocking 80% of them experiencing symptoms like mood swings and hot flashes, impacting their health and work performance.
This study has found that women in the perimenopausal phase have a 40% higher risk of depression than premenopausal women
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms could be categorized in physical and mental/emotional ones. Physical symptoms can include menstrual changes, hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal and urinary issues, sleep changes, heart palpitations and so many more.
Emotional/mental symptoms include mood swings, brain fog, low libido, loss of confidence, feeling depressed.
IS THIS YOU?
The Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS) is a widely used questionnaire designed by Dr. J.G. Greene to assess where you are in your perimenopausal/menopausal journey and the impact the symptoms you experience have on your life and well-being.
It can help your general practitioner track symptom changes before and during menopause treatment and start a conversation about your options and the help you can get.
CHAT TO YOUR GP
There are also treatments that your doctor can prescribe to improve your quality of life. These include Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), non-hormonal medicines to ease specific symptoms and help with your mental health, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Although perimenopause and menopause are natural processes, they are not easy to cope with. There are some lifestyle changes that can improve your quality of life and help ease some of the symptoms.
NEO MIND SUPPORT
Read, reflect and connect.
We invite you to Our Mind Book Club which is a monthly in-person gathering where thoughtfully chosen books open minds. Through shared reading and open conversation, we create a safe and welcoming space for reflection and understanding.
Perimenopause Cafe- coming.
Join us as we share our personal experiences and a cup of coffee and cake to help us navigate this stage of life together. Join our mailing list to be invited to our upcoming events- we cannot wait to meet you. Until then, we have a Disqus account for free, open chats.