12/28/2021
I’m extremely jazzed to see an increasingly popular trend of acknowledging and discussing menopause. Slow and steady, America! This is wonderful to finally be openly discussing something many of us (wrongfully) associate with an ending of vitality. But I’d like to suggest we all open up the topic of perimenopause as well. This, too, is shelved as a taboo subject that brings shame to many women. It’s really unfortunate that many suffer for years with symptoms that can be treated and eased with acupuncture, and also greatly helped with both herbs and western medicine. Perimenopause is much like puberty, in that it’s not something that happens overnight. Just because you might be in this category, doesn’t mean tomorrow you’ll be in menopause. As puberty takes years, so does this change. Lara Briden writes in her excellent book Hormone Repair Manual, perimenopause “is not about aging. [It’s] a second puberty and is temporary.” Perimenopause can manifest as poor sleep, period changes, fatigue, sore breasts, migraines, night sweats, anxiety, depression, and pelvic pain. Most of these symptoms actually lessen or go away when you enter menopause. Remember awkward teenage years as your body was transitioning into adulthood? It’s kinda like that. So instead of suffering in silence or thinking you’re alone, I recommend seeking help. Know that what you are feeling can be helped and alleviated. Acupuncture works tremendously well. As do western meds, if need be. But most importantly, talk about it openly. With your doctor. With friends. With your partner. The shame that’s associated with women’s health is one of the biggest tragedies in modern healthcare. Almost 50% of the population is or will be dealing with these issues. It’s about time we learned and understood more about them. 💫
![September 18th some wonderful fellow acupuncturists and I are hosting a little pop up at The Good Witch] in Hastings! Wh...](https://img3.findhealthclinics.com/951/578/2039821589515786.jpg)
