How ginger actually helps, and 7 other things you probably didn’t know about perimenopause.

I had never heard about perimenopause when I first experienced it in my early forties. Although there was no change to my menstrual cycle, I never considered that my escalating anxiety, sleeplessness, and irrational anger bursts with the kids had something to do with “the change”. To be honest, I thought I was too young for it. 

Luckily for me, certain female celebrities and public figures like Michelle Obama and Naomi Watts had also decided around that time that menopause was not something we could keep brushing under the carpet. To help women get the support they need to navigate it, we needed to remove the stigma and mystery. 

Like many women, I had heard horror stories about menopause, and I was dreading it. But though I could identify the usual experiences we hear about it – brain fog, hot flushes, insomnia, and mood swings – I was less familiar with the stage leading up to it: perimenopause. 

Here are 7 things you might not know about perimenopause. 

1. Ingredients like ginger and oat seed can actually help.

Unfortunately, hormone fluctuations (specifically the drop in your progesterone levels) that start in perimenopause can elevate digestive issues.

Thankfully, certain ingredients found on the supermarket shelf, or already in your pantry, can actually be used to help support the body during menopause. 

Ginger is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and can help improve digestion, and reduce nausea and cramping. Ingredients like oat seed are also an excellent source of iron, magnesium and zinc, and help support energy levels which being a gut and cardiovascular-loving addition to a healthy menopause diet.

2. Topical patches can be an effective alternative option.

The normalisation of menopause in open conversation, and the awareness of its challenges has motivated the medical profession and small businesses to find solutions for women experiencing the effects of menopause. 

I love to see female-founded Australian businesses like The Patch Remedy. They make a range of topical patches to help with challenges around things like sleep, focus and menopause.

Image: Supplied.

Patches are a useful alternative to oral vitamin supplements: instead of capsules or gummies, they’re supplements contained in a patch that’s applied conveniently on top of your skin, where nutrients can be absorbed directly for hours thereafter. And because they are waterproof, you can even shower and swim in them.

The Patch Remedy's Menopause topical patches may be an option to help reduce some effects of menopause, like hot flushes, mood swings and sleeplessness. They contain a blend of gotu kola, damiana, black cohosh, valerian, skullcap, oat seed and ginger.

Image: Supplied.

They work as a steady release over 12 hours, and can be used daily on any hairless area of skin, such as the upper arm, lower back, abdomen, or inner wrist.

3. The increase in body odour is real.

I was hot ALL of the time, and not in the way I wanted. Although I didn’t experience full-blown hot flushes during the day, stress, red wine, and spicy food were all triggers and I was noticeably sweatier. This increased my body odour, making for some awkward situations at work. 

Image: Supplied.

Australia isn’t the kindest climate for women in peri or menopause, and not only did I suffer through those humid January nights, but my husband also felt like we were sleeping in a freezer with the aircon permanently on full blast. I’m not still convinced that the increase in our body temperature isn’t nature’s way of warding off unwanted attention (ha!) but the biological reason is the drop in our estrogen levels. 

4. The brain turning to mush.

I thought that the increasingly stupid stuff I did – putting the keys in the fridge, forgetting the names of people close to me, and picking up my kids at the wrong time from school – was part of the ageing process. I had no idea that the drop in progesterone caused brain fogginess in perimenopause, and I can’t tell you what a relief it was when I found out.

5. Sex might be the last thing on your mind.

I blamed my lack of sex drive on the low-level stress and exhaustion caused by my struggle to balance my job with my home life – and two very hormonal teenagers – but perimenopause plays havoc with your hormones, and either a complete loss of or fluctuating libido is common.

6. Your whole body... hurts.

Most mornings I felt like I had run a marathon the previous day. The body’s drop in estrogen triggers inflammation, bone density loss, and joint and muscle pain and those aches and niggles start in perimenopause. It took me much longer to get going in the morning and I experienced my first bursitis in my foot.

7. Sleep would feel like a luxury.

It was like having a newborn all over again. I could fall asleep, but if I woke up during the night, it was impossible to get back into a deep slumber and I would lie there watching my husband sleep like a baby, hating him that little bit more. 

Sleeplessness is a common symptom of perimenopause that is caused by hormonal changes, increased anxiety or depression, night sweats, and even vaginal itching and dryness.

8. Let's not forget hair loss.

When my hairdresser first noticed the thinning of my hair, I assumed the loss was linked to stress because there are many causes of hair loss. But with research and a trip to the GP, perimenopause was found to be the cause.  

No one said menopause is easy, and it goes without saying, but before you make any life-changing decision in terms of treatment options, you should know all the facts and speak to your doctor. Fortunately, we have more control over the narrative around peri and menopause; the choice to focus on the positives of this next stage in our lives. 

This stage in a woman’s life is a means to an end of painful monthly periods and a celebration of the start of what is known as “The Second Spring” in Chinese Medicine. After almost forty years of menstruation, women deserve to understand what lies ahead and some extra love to support them through it.

Shop The Patch Remedy Menopause topical patches to support your body and mind through the symptoms of menopause. Find them in the Peri-Meno Value bundle including patches for menopause, focus and sleep.

The Patch Remedy products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, prevent or help with any illness, disease or medical condition. We encourage you to seek professional medical advice.

Feature Image: Supplied.