You Are Too Young | A Woman’s Story
1. How old are you?
Currently 41, though 42 is close by.
2. Where are you on your peri/menopause journey?
In the thick of it I'd say. Lots of perimenopause symptoms that are ebbing and flowing in intensity.
3. What symptoms are you navigating?
Currently trying to deal with: chronic yeast infections (that just don't seem to fully clear no matter what I'm doing), digestion off, insomnia, vivid nightmares, worsening of PMDD (previously well managed), rage and then crippling anxiety that comes out of nowhere and sticks to me like tar, change in sexual desires and interests, hair loss, brain fog, blood pressure elevated, hot flashes/temperature dysregulation (thankfully no night sweats!).
4. When symptoms first started how were you treated by your doctor?
I was met with a standard response of you are too young, but you could try birth control, SSRI's, and ozempic. Good day. LOL.
5. Do you feel supported now?
By professionals? Kind of. By a community of women, yes. I feel grateful I have found other women going through it, or who have already gone through it. I've read the books (and will keep reading). Knowing what options I have and how to ask for them seem to be the hardest part as it's so inconsistent what each healthcare provider knows and is willing to offer.
6. How many years did it take to get the help you needed and to feel vitality again?
Still in it! Coming up on 6 years of trying to figure things out. I have had some help with various things along the way, but it's an evolving changing process. No one will be able to go in to see a doctor once and say Here's my symptoms, help me, then get one set of things to try and have it work with no tweaks or follow-ups. The reality is that perimenopause takes years and needs ongoing check-ins and adjustments.
7. How has this impacted your life?
In all the ways. This experience has impacted my intimate relationships, my friendships, my relationship with my children, and my relationship with myself. I still feel quite lost and unsure. It's impacted my finances (trying different things all comes at a cost).
8. Have you felt educated along your journey by your healthcare provider?
Nope. I've done that through reading, online searches, and communities of women. I've shared some of my learning with my GP with mixed results (mostly, I feel like I'm annoying her).
9. What advice or message would you like to share with others having similar experiences?
Listen to yourself. Believe your body. Do not give up. Find other women to talk to. Bring research to your doctor, and don't ask... tell them what you'd like to try and why, especially if they aren't receptive to supporting you. Remember, you are not alone, and you deserve care and comfort through this process. Take creatine. Eat protein. Move. If you aren't moving, start. If you are already moving, don't stop. Don't focus on perfection. Focus on functional movement that makes you feel good in your body and supports strength. Check in on your friendships and share your journey so others know they aren't alone.
Do you have a story that you would like to share?
I began the SisterFire Menopause Research Movement to give women a voice through a very much hidden and overwhelming passage in their lives. Our mothers, grandmothers, sisters and friends have not had a space or opportunity to truly understand the ways in which to support themselves within this journey, and on the medical side, doctors have also had barriers to proper, updated research and information to share with their patients. I want to bring awareness to this gap in our worldwide community and give women back their voice and vitality.
