Ep. 9: Perimenopause - The Invisible Struggle Often Ignored

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In this episode of The Sustainable Success Series, Nichi explore’s the often invisible struggle of perimenopause.  Despite its prevalence, perimenopause remains a taboo topic, leaving many women feeling isolated and misunderstood as they live with symptoms like anxiety, mood swings, hypersensitivity, sleep disturbances, and even worsened ADHD. We discuss how fluctuating hormones impact mental and physical health, why these changes often go unnoticed, and the importance of raising awareness so we can provide better support, promote open conversations, and empower women to seek the care they deserve during this significant life transition.
Key Takeaways:
1. Understanding Perimenopause:

• Perimenopause is the transition period before menopause characterised by fluctuating hormone levels.
• Hormonal changes can lead to physical, emotional, and mental health challenges.

2. The Invisibility of Perimenopause:

• Despite affecting nearly half the population, perimenopause remains an under-discussed topic, leading to a lack of awareness and support. 
• Stigma around women's health issues and aging contributes to this silence, leaving many women feeling isolated and misunderstood.

3. Mental Health Impact:

• Perimenopause can trigger or worsen symptoms of anxiety, depression, hypersensitivity, PTSD, and substance abuse.
• Symptoms can disrupt everyday life, affect work performance, and strain relationships.

4. ADHD and Perimenopause:   

• Women with ADHD may notice a worsening of symptoms during perimenopause due to hormonal shifts.
• Decreasing estrogen levels affect neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, intensifying ADHD symptoms such as forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, impulsivity, and mood swings.

5. Challenges in the Healthcare System:

• Many healthcare providers may not consider hormones when treating mental health symptoms, leading to mismanagement and inappropriate treatment.
• There is a need for greater awareness and education on the connection between hormonal health and mental wellbeing.

6. Comprehensive Care and Support:

• Effective management of perimenopausal symptoms requires an integrated approach that addresses physical, mental, and hormonal health.
• Women could benefit from lifestyle changes, hormone replacement therapy, therapy and support groups, and medication when needed.

Research article: Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. (2024). The impact of perimenopause on women’s mental health. Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com

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Intro and Outro music: Inspirational Acoustic - Organic Harmony by Sonican; and Andrii Poradovskyi from Pixabay.

Disclaimer: This content is general in nature and intended for educational purposes only. It is not deemed as psychological treatment and does not replace the advice from your health professional or need for psychological treatment.