Ahead of PAI’s FREE webinar, ‘The Menopause Forum – Women in the Workplace‘, Speaker Nicola Wolfe has written this blog for those attending:
‘How do I know I am perimenopausal?’
There are several different symptoms to note as possible indicators of perimenopause:
Hot Flushes, Night Sweats, Brain fog, Memory problems, Mood changes – anxiety, depression Low motivation & poor concentration, Migraines/headaches, Breast pain, Digestive problems, Weight gain, Loss of libido, Vaginal dryness, Change in periods (frequency, intensity, Joint pain, Osteoporosis, Muscle stiffness, Hair changes, brittle nails, Dry skin, Itching skin, Acne, Wrinkles, Altered sense of smell Dry eyes, Facial hair growth, Burning mouth, Dry mouth, Frequent urination, Urinary pain, Stress & urge incontinence and Nocturia.
As you see this is a varied list and we all have different experiences, but the list above reflects the most regularly experienced perimenopausal symptoms , usually occurring over a period of years before menopause itself is reached. What perhaps does not come across in the above list is how insidious these symptoms can be, meaning that they are sometimes missed as actually being a result of changing hormone levels. Women can find themselves referred for tests for palpitations, prescribed anti-depressants, prescribed repeat antibiotics, advised to have counselling etc., without anyone asking could this be the perimenopause?
Many women I have worked with talk about a loss of self-confidence, a feeling of invisibility, a questioning of their own self-worth, a lability of mood that is not usual for them, being exhausted, quick to anger and in tears at the next moment, experiences I can fully relate to as being part of my own journey but never once thinking these could be related to perimenopause. If we are educated to realise the symptoms of perimenopause then perhaps, we will access the correct support more efficiently, put in place the necessary lifestyle changes, and as a result prevent a prolonged, tiring and unhealthy journey into menopause.
Join Nicola at our FREE webinar: The Menopause Forum – Women in the Workplace
Nicola will also be speaking at our NEW: HRM Supports – Menopause in the Workplace online workshop for HR Managers, Line Managers & Corporate Leaders.
About our Author:
Nicola Wolfe, MSc. Pg. Dip. Ed., RNT, RPN, RNID. Nicola’s background is in nursing, education and mental health. She has an MSc. in Mental Health Interventions and a particular interest in cognitive behavioural and positive psychology approaches. She has trained as a Life, Personal and Executive Coach and also a Mental Health and Wellbeing Coach and is registered with EMCC as a coach practitioner. She has trained with the British Menopause Society in Group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for the Management of Hot Flushes and Night Sweats and has also completed IMPART Level 1 training with the International Menopause Society and is currently undertaking IMPART Level 2 training. She is also completing Dr. Louise Newson’s training in Confidence in the Menopause. She provides 1:1 support and group education to people experiencing perimenopause and menopause using an educational and coaching programme she has developed called the Menopause Maze. She works with services for people with intellectual disabilities, and mental health services, providing education to staff supporting people experiencing perimenopause and menopause. She also provides education in workplaces on the issue of perimenopause and menopause at work.