Perimenopause affects women very differently, but one message is consistent: The struggle is real.
“Brain is foggy, I don’t sleep well. I started to gain weight,” said Treshell Wilkins Goodlow, who has experienced perimenopause.
“I had anxiety for the first time in my life,” says Jane Mawicke, who is now navigating post-menopause.
Many women are looking for answers, and the opportunity to open up in a safe space about the midlife transition they have in common.
Lauren Ratliff started Matrescense therapy in 2021, initially for women during pregnancy and postpartum. Over the last year, new needs have emerged. The biggest growth in practice? Menopause transition.
“We hear this over and over again from women who call, ‘I’ve been looking for a long time to find this real support, but it doesn’t seem to be out there,'” Ratliff said.. “It’s just a really great transition paired with all these huge hormonal shifts, and it almost feels like a perfect storm for mental health.”
In the last year, Matrescense has hired five therapists who specialize in perimenopause and menopause to meet the growing demand, including Dr. Angele Tutup.
“A lot of times they’ll be more like, ‘I’m feeling anxious or I’m feeling more moody, more irritable,'” Close said. “So, they reach out to therapists, and I think sometimes it’s fear of judgment.”
As many as four in 10 people in perimenopause experience irritability, low energy, sadness or difficulty concentrating, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
“And shame or blame ourselves for being isolated,” Close said.
Changes in estrogen levels are likely to be responsible for significant mood swings that can be disruptive. Changes in sexuality, exercise and eating habits, and stressful life situations can also affect mood.
“Many women are taking care of their parents. They are taking care of teenagers or, you know, young adults and they are depleted,” Tutup said. “And they just have to start really recognizing, ‘I have problems too. I can no longer be at the bottom of my list.’ So, it’s almost like an exploration of what’s most important.”
In addition to therapy, some women also seek relief through supplements and acupuncture.
“Acupuncture is amazing for regulating the nervous system, and it helps a lot with things like anxiety, insomnia, regulating hormones,” says Ashley Flores, owner of Four Flowers Wellness.
“Many women will find that even with Western treatment, they may not feel as good as they want or they find that they have side effects with their Western treatment, and they want something that works instead of hormonal treatment. And acupuncture, especially in combination with herbs, can be incredibly effective,” said Flores, a provider of Chinese medicine specializing in women’s health and fertility.
Delana Martello was seeking relief from perimenopause symptoms when fatigue and mood swings began to affect her work and relationships with her family.
“I didn’t like my old self. I knew something was different,” said Martello, a wife and mother of two who works full time.
She receives acupuncture twice a month and pairs medication with Ashwagandha root for her anxiety. She also saw an OBGYN.
“Instead of starting hormone replacement therapy right away, just see how it goes and then also just follow the lifestyle changes,” Martello said.
Functional medicine aims to identify the root cause of disease and not just treat symptoms.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women, and it doesn’t happen overnight. It takes decades of exposure to chronic, often silent cardiovascular risk factors. Kate Chappell reports.
Dozens of over-the-counter supplements are now advertised to menopausal women as part of a $17 billion global market that is expected to grow more than 5% annually until at least 2030, according to Harvard medical school.
Common supplements used in perimenopause are magnesium for sleep, black cohosh for hot flashes, and maca root for energy and mood.
“My husband saw the difference, the kids too,” Martello said.
Supplements do not require FDA approval and many have not undergone rigorous testing, meaning there is no guarantee they work or are safe.
Flores said women should always work with a trained professional.
“I’m very careful about where I source,” she says. “I always tell people to be careful when ordering online because there are many contamination issues or improperly labeled supplements and herbs.
Functional medicine has made a world of difference to Martello at home. She shares her story to inspire other women to normalize the menopause transition and find solutions.
“A lot of women, it’s hard for us to go out there and get help because you’re like, ‘I’ve got so many things to do.’ And we are the last people to take care of ourselves,” he said.
When it comes to supplement sources, Harvard medical experts have this advice:
- check the label for “USP” or “NSF,” which indicates the supplement has been tested by a third-party organization.
- Avoid mixed products, and choose a supplement that contains only that herb, not as part of a “menopause support” mix.
- Watch for side effects. Any unusual symptoms could be a sign of a problem.
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