Perimenopause : How Non-Toxic Living Helps me with my Symptoms
Perimenopause? I didn’t even hear of this word until I was 35. That’s just 4 years ago…and it turns out- my ADHD mixed with this is an emotional rollercoaster with a broken safety harness.
This totally natural and often overlooked phase of life can look different for so many people. Shrouded in silence, it’s a crucial stage of life for many women.
Perimenopause can begin in a woman’s 40’s and last for several years. It’s marked by hormone fluctuations that lead to symptoms like hot flashes, hair loss, irregular periods, mood swings and sleep disruptions (along with a whole rainbow of other symptoms too!)
The symptoms are not only physical either, the emotional and mental impacts of these symptoms are sometimes devastating. I am going through a hair loss cycle and I have been really depressed watching my beautiful, bouncy, wavey hair become more and more dull and thin.
I’m not really sure why it’s not talked about more, except for that there are still crazy taboos around aging. Many women feel embarrased or even isolated during perimenopause and there’s still a stigma around talking about aging, hormones and things seen as “private”.
That…but also there’s a serious lack of awareness and that leads to confusion and frustration. I have chalked my hair loss up to stress, and the other health issues I faced last year were actually pointed out as stress by my doctor. I said “My body feels like it’s falling apart no matter how healthy I eat or how much exercise I get. I’m trying to keep my small business running while raising 4 kids and my kids are going through a lot since their biological father abandoned them. It’s gotta be all that stress, right?” and she responded by giving me an anti-anxiety/depressant. After a few months with that medication I did feel like my mood was better, but I still couldn’t figure out my joints and hair and this feeling of just being ugly and worn down.
I went back to her to update her about the symptoms and she said “oh sweetie, I think it’s perimenopause”
We talked and talked and a few more blood tests and a cortisol test later- that’s what she was sure it was.
So now that I’m on this sustainability journey while managing perimenopause: I just have to share some of the ways I’m coping without harsh medications or drastic measures that aren’t even fully researched. I’m using gentle, natural and non-toxic alternatives that provide relief without too many side-effects!
These suggestions are purely suggestions from real-life experience and I’m not trying to provide medical advice in any way. You should certainly talk with your doctor too about options that will support you if you feel like perimenopause is happening for you too.
Herbal Remedies: I have found that Reishi mushroom extract helps me stay asleep without making me sleepy. I put some in Tulsi tea before bed and this has been a really wonderful routine when I remember it! Tulsi is packed with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties and is stress-relieving and blood sugar balancing. It’s in the mint family and also really great for Hot Flashes as well as balancing hormones. I read recently that some doctors had sworn by it to also help reduce weight gain and musculoskeletal pain associated with hormone imbalance. I do keep a little stem of rosemary by my bedside too because I think sniffing it here and there does help my brain come back to life when it feels like a hopeless blob rattling around in my head.
Baths: I have been taking more Magnesium baths than I ever have in my life. When I get out my mood is instantly improved. I’ve even had to skip dinner with my family to go take a bath because I can feel a sense of dread or upset coming and I don’t want them to see me struggle emotionally. Highly recommend the Epsom Salt we have in the shop and two of my blends that contain Magnesium glycinate are available until they run out! There’s a Dandelion and a Lavender. Don’t forget to look lots in to Magnesium…there are many different make-ups.
Clean Self Care Products: So many products out in the world have hormone disrupters and other ingredients that can cause skin irritation, acne and dryness. I’ve found that a simple routine of washing my face with an enzyme scrub and following up with a moisturizer is all I need on my face and the rest of my body I always use Tallow or a high quality jojoba body oil. Cleaning up your self care routine can not only improve the symptoms of perimenopause but it can just feel good knowing your largest organ (your skin) is well taken care of. Emotionally it just feels better using nice, quality products. My hair is still a struggle…Dip Shampoo bars are what I’m using and I think it helps feel a bit thicker but it also feels like I need to wash my hair every day for it to truly make me feel confident in my own scalp. I’ve thought about maybe trying JVN’s air dry cream..it’s pretty low waste and has good ingredients in it. I am glad for hat season because I won’t shave it all off yet but I’ve been really close a few times this year.
Dietary changes: I’ve always eaten pretty well but I did get blood tests and found that I had a low vitamin C level and Vitamin C is essential for growth, repair, recovery and adrenal support. I simply added buffered C crystals to my routine and started eating more oranges. I do not eat anything processed whatsoever now either. I was still having a slice of pizza with the kids here and there and I’m a sucker for frozen dumplings and a good junky salad dressing but all of that is out of my life for good since I’ve been feeling much better without it. My energy level has flown through the roof and I have not had a single tummy issue after eating. Ultraprocessed food can make us feel shit, cause health problems and exasperate preexisting health issues. It’s best not only for perimenopause symptoms…but also for your general health to just cut it out if you can. Definitely get in your antioxidants and fiber…I have read SO much about that today while writing this. Of course—-DRINK ALL THE WATER!
Practicing mindfulness and stress reduction: I’m not a yoga person, I tried but I just like stretching whatever way my body wants to move and breathing with my hands on my chest and my eyes closed. The biggest help for when I feel like I’m overwhelmed or like everything is going to come crashing down is laying on my back with my legs up the wall. You just sit there for a while and it is one of the only ways I’ve ever been able to calm a panic attack. Now that I’m experiencing the perimenopause mood swings I’ve looked in to it more for calming the mind and activating the parasympathetic nervous system. It is magic for me.
Now, that’s a lot about me and my experience but I was thinking it might be really cool if any women out there that are experiencing the same things could respond back and give me your tips and tricks too. I could compile it all and follow up with another post. And all people reading this regardless of if you’ll experience perimenopause or not- perimenopause is, in fact, real and a normal, natural part of aging.
Let’s just finish this off with a good ole’” you don’t have to suffer alone” quote because embracing natural aging is just a part of life. Navigating this transition could be easier with less toxins around. I encourage you all to do lots of research, consult with a healthcare professional and be kind to yourself if you too feel any of these symptoms creeping up.
Drink water and Breathe! Happy New Year!
xo Mel
NOTES FROM RESEARCH:
Holy basil, also known as tulsi, is an adaptogen that may help balance hormones and support overall health.
Certain lifestyle practices, including eating a nutritious diet rich in protein and fiber, can help naturally balance your hormones.
This article discusses natural ways to balance your hormones, including avoiding endocrine disruptors found in the environment.
Some women find that adding more phytoestrogen-rich foods to their diet can help balance hormone levels and reduce symptoms like hot flashes.
Parasympathetic nervous system: Anatomy and functions - Kenhub
How the Parasympathetic Nervous System Can Lower Stress - HSS
Neuroanatomy, Parasympathetic Nervous System - StatPearls - NCBI
