22 Comments
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Caroline Millington's avatar

Please share your menopause experiences with us so we can help support more women in the future: https://thefemalelead.typeform.com/menopause

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Michele Clapsaddle's avatar

Love the article! I feel like our Gen X responsibility is to help those coming behind us be as prepared as possible for midlife. I write about midlife through the lens of Greek mythology… would love for you to check it out!

Chiron of Myth & Mind https://chironofmythandmind.substack.com

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Claudia Canu's avatar

I was just talking about this with a close friend who is 37, and her first question was, "Do you think I might already be in perimenopause? Am I not too young for that?" I didn't try to convince her of anything; I just sent her my perimenopause symptoms tracker so that she can see for herself if she is suffering from any of the 80+ possible perimenopause symptoms.

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Caroline Millington's avatar

It's not too young, unfortunately! Your friend should speak to a doctor about her symptoms and discuss it further. Thanks for joining the conversation.

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Sarah C. Benoit, LCMHC's avatar

Thank you for writing about this. We need to have more conversations and start them younger.

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Caroline Millington's avatar

We really do! We're passionate about driving awareness for women in their 20s and 30s to have an understanding of their 'normal' and seek advice when they notice any changes. Knowledge is power 💪

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Monica Fabra's avatar

Thank you for writing and sharing this piece! Very helpful!

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Atty's avatar

brain fog was HUUUUGE for me- along with undiagnosed ADHD - and PPD...hmm, anything else?

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Philippa Dobree-Carey's avatar

As well as frozen shoulder, itchy and/or ringing ears, insomnia, and lethargy! It’s a blast!

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Alana Corral's avatar

Perimenopause is a bitch.

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Brain Lady's avatar

Fun for us!

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Caroline Millington's avatar

Right?! 🫠

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Jasmina K.'s avatar

Well, I have all the symptoms, and I am aware of them, but it's hard to exist some days🤭

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Helen Wilson's avatar

All the brilliant points made! These started appearing for me aged 38.

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"About Something"'s avatar

I wish you did a "100 ways your partner can support you when you're going through perimenopause" list 🧐 I'll start:

1. Don't be anxious about their anxiety.

2. Don't be irritable about their irritability.

3. Provide support and don't be whingy.

...your turn 😀

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Spilled Coffee Chronicles's avatar

Do you think any of these are true before 35 if you’ve had a total hysterectomy? I’ll be 30 next year but had a total hysterectomy (leaving my ovaries) and I’ve been having a lot of symptoms that I’ve thought was perimenopause but my doctors swear that since I have my ovaries it can’t be

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Nigel Cox's avatar

Excellent article.

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Elena Guna's avatar

Hey, let’s connect, I also write about hormones and perimenopause: https://substack.com/@livewithaloha?r=4jc4t1&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=profile

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Josien's avatar

Ok, but I’d like to see some biological mechanisms for this. Otherwise you’re just saying: you’re anxious, fat and have no interest in sex because you’re a woman and you should fix it. I’m a Biology PhD and a huge advocate for studying and centering women’s physiology, but let’s try to stay away from bio-essentialism

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Caroline Millington's avatar

It's about knowing what's 'normal' for you and being aware of any changes. The more menopause awareness the more informed we are to know when to seek medical advice if it's needed.

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Josien's avatar

Absolutely, center women’s physiology and experience. But let’s be careful about indiscriminately blaming it on vague ‘hormones’ in general. A change can be due to other things than ‘you are a woman’ .

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