About 10 years ago, right around the time I turned 40, I started reading several books about menopause. Some mentioned peri menopause - the up to 15-year period before menopause - in passing, but most just discussed whether hormones were recommended or not. And they usually fell on one extreme or the other: absolutely no hormones necessary (without real, feasible alternatives offered, such as comprehensive lifestyle changes), or high amounts to replace all the hormones that have been lost are necessary.
After reading the books, I was left feeling that I was much too young and that most of the discussions did not apply to me. I also did not like that so many of the books left very little room for nuanced approaches. I therefore “forgot” about the topic.
Yet, the peri menopause period is so important, and my hormones have been shifting, declining and been erratic for the last decade.
Luckily, I have nourished my body with healthy foods for most of the last decade thanks to the Conscious Cleanse, and that has made the last 10 years a lot better I believe. But there was so much more I could have done.
I have spent the last nine months reading a lot of books about peri menopause and menopause, followed Instagram and YouTube accounts that cover the topic, and have implemented comprehensive lifestyle changes that have made a real difference.
In the coming weeks, I will share what I have found helpful.
Be well,
Andrea