Five Things Every Partner Should Know About Perimenopause
Fellas and partners, have you noticed your partner is going through some big hormonal changes – physically and emotionally? In order to support her through this transitional and sometimes transformative time, it’s really important for partners to be aware of how these changes might affect her (and what they can do to help!).
Here are FIVE things every partner should know about Perimenopause:
Perimenopause means “around menopause”, and essentially describes the entire transitional process from reproductive years to non-reproductive years. It is a transition to a new life stage. It’s been dubbed ‘reverse puberty’, as it has many similarities to puberty, but things are happening in reverse!
The menopausal transition is not just about changes to her menstrual cycle and hot flushes. Due to fluctuating and declining hormone levels, changes occur in her brain, immune system, muscles, bones and many other sites. This means the symptoms (which vary in severity and can differ widely between women) can include fatigue, forgetfulness, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, low mood, hives, hair thinning, weight gain, painful intercourse and low libido.
Her body is going through a software update. Some experts in the field regards time as a critical window of health, meaning how this period plays out for her can have a huge impact on the decades to come in regard to her physical and mental health. This means it’s an important time for her to refocus and prioritise self-care so the "software update" goes well!
It takes time. It can take anywhere from 2-12 years for a woman to transition from the early stages of perimenopause to post-menopause; with the average timeframe being 4-7 years. This means there is no overnight transitioning here, just as there is no overnight transition in puberty – it takes years!
Her usual stress-busting strategies (like a glass of wine and some icecream!) may no longer work, they will most likely just exacerbate her symptoms. Rather than pouring her a glass of wine after a stressful day, instead, try cooking her dinner, giving her a massage or taking something off her plate (like those boring life admin jobs that need to be done!).
During perimenopause, healthy COMMUNICATION with your partner is so SO important! Stay curious. Ask her (often) how she is feeling, and how you can help her. She doesn’t always need solutions, but she will need understanding.
Bottom Line
Perimenopause can be a really empowering time in a woman’s life, and the more literacy there is around it, the better! A big thanks also to my mate Rich from The Dad Mindset, for recently having me on your fantastic podcast and asking the big questions around perimenopause 🙂
Until next time,
Stacey.
