Full Transcript 10 Signs You Might Be in Perimenopause 0:01 You notice that your 0:01 You notice that your periods 0:02 periods 0:02 periods are behaving strangely. Your 0:03 are behaving strangely. Your 0:03 are behaving strangely. Your heart is beating wildly 0:04 heart is beating wildly 0:04 heart is beating wildly while you're just sitting 0:06 while you're just sitting 0:06 while you're just sitting on the couch. You've gained 0:07 on the couch. You've gained 0:07 on the couch. You've gained weight around your waist, and 0:09 weight around your waist, and 0:09 weight around your waist, and it's crazy. Nothing has 0:10 it's crazy. Nothing has 0:10 it's crazy. Nothing has changed. No 0:11 changed. No 0:11 changed. No diet has changed, 0:13 diet has changed, 0:13 diet has changed, nor has exercise. 0:14 nor has exercise. 0:14 nor has exercise. Your ears are strangely 0:15 Your ears are strangely 0:15 Your ears are strangely itchy. And your 0:17 itchy. And your 0:17 itchy. And your brain feels like it's 0:18 brain feels like it's 0:18 brain feels like it's working 0:19 working 0:19 working on a wall of fog. It's as if there is 0:21 on a wall of fog. It's as if there is 0:21 on a wall of fog. It's as if there is nothing that 0:22 nothing that 0:22 nothing that calculates. It's 0:24 calculates. It's 0:24 calculates. It's becoming harder for you 0:25 becoming harder for you 0:25 becoming harder for you to complete, ahem, 0:26 to complete, ahem, 0:26 to complete, ahem, tasks. So what are you 0:28 tasks. So what are you 0:28 tasks. So what are you doing? You 0:29 doing? You 0:29 doing? You consult 0:29 consult 0:29 consult a cardiologist because of a 0:30 a cardiologist because of a 0:30 a cardiologist because of a rapid 0:31 rapid 0:31 rapid heartbeat. You 0:31 heartbeat. You 0:31 heartbeat. You consult an ENT 0:32 consult an ENT doctor because of 0:33 doctor because of 0:33 doctor because of itching in your ears. You 0:34 itching in your ears. You 0:34 itching in your ears. You are seeing a 0:34 are seeing a 0:34 are seeing a neurologist or 0:35 neurologist or 0:35 neurologist or therapist because of 0:36 therapist because of 0:36 therapist because of memory problems. And 0:41 memory problems. And 0:41 memory problems. And after months of 0:41 after months of 0:41 after months of appointments, no one, not 0:42 appointments, no one, not 0:42 appointments, no one, not even a single 0:43 even a single 0:43 even a single specialist, 0:43 specialist, 0:43 specialist, utters a single 0:44 utters a single 0:44 utters a single word that is really behind 0:45 word that is really behind 0:45 word that is really behind all this. 0:46 all this. 0:48 Perimenopause. 0:49 Perimenopause. Today we'll 0:50 Today we'll 0:50 Today we'll look at 10 signs that 0:51 look at 10 signs that 0:51 look at 10 signs that you may 0:52 you may 0:52 you may be in perimenopause. 0:53 be in perimenopause. 0:55 Including the 0:55 Including the sneaky ones that almost 0:57 sneaky ones that almost 0:57 sneaky ones that almost everyone misses. 0:58 everyone misses. 0:59 everyone misses. Additionally, I will explain why 1:00 Additionally, I will explain why 1:00 Additionally, I will explain why blood tests may 1:01 blood tests may 1:01 blood tests may actually 1:02 actually 1:02 actually miss these signs completely. 1:03 miss these signs completely. 1:03 miss these signs completely. You may be told 1:05 You may be told 1:05 You may be told that you are normal, 1:06 that you are normal, 1:06 that you are normal, even if you 1:06 even if you 1:06 even if you feel 1:07 feel 1:07 feel completely miserable. 1:08 completely miserable. 1:09 completely miserable. Before we get 1:10 Before we get 1:10 Before we get to these 10 signs, I want to 1:12 to these 10 signs, I want to 1:12 to these 10 signs, I want to dispel one 1:13 dispel one 1:13 dispel one huge misconception. 1:14 huge misconception. 1:14 huge misconception. Perimenopause is not 1:15 Perimenopause is not 1:15 Perimenopause is not just about low 1:16 just about low 1:16 just about low estrogen and 1:17 estrogen and 1:17 estrogen and progesterone levels. In 1:18 progesterone levels. In 1:18 progesterone levels. In clinical medicine, 1:19 clinical medicine, 1:19 clinical medicine, we actually 1:20 we actually 1:20 we actually use a 1:21 use a 1:24 staging system, but 1:24 staging system, but it's really a transition. 1:26 it's really a transition. 1:29 She literally 1:29 She literally breaks down the transition to 1:30 breaks down the transition to 1:30 breaks down the transition to menopause into 1:31 menopause into 1:31 menopause into premenopause, two 1:32 premenopause, two 1:32 premenopause, two stages of perimenopause 1:33 stages of perimenopause , and then menopause and 1:35 , and then menopause and 1:35 , and then menopause and postmenopause. So, 1:38 postmenopause. So, 1:38 postmenopause. So, at the beginning of 1:39 at the beginning of 1:39 at the beginning of perimenopause, you 1:40 perimenopause, you 1:40 perimenopause, you start to experience several 1:41 start to experience several 1:41 start to experience several cycle changes. You may 1:42 cycle changes. You may 1:42 cycle changes. You may notice that your 1:43 notice that your 1:43 notice that your periods are 1:44 periods are 1:44 periods are different or 1:45 different or 1:45 different or your cycles are 1:45 your cycles are 1:45 your cycles are 7 1:46 7 1:46 7 days or more different from 1:47 days or more different from 1:47 days or more different from your 1:48 your 1:48 your baseline. So, if 1:49 baseline. So, if 1:49 baseline. So, if you usually have a 28-day 1:51 you usually have a 28-day 1:51 you usually have a 28-day cycle, you now have a 21- 1:52 cycle, you now have a 21- day or 35-day 1:54 day or 35-day 1:54 day or 35-day cycle. And your estrogen is 1:55 cycle. And your estrogen is 1:55 cycle. And your estrogen is n't really the 1:56 n't really the 1:56 n't really the problem. It is 1:57 problem. It is 1:57 problem. It is constantly rising and 1:58 constantly rising and 1:58 constantly rising and falling. It's actually a 1:59 falling. It's actually a 1:59 falling. It's actually a hormonal roller coaster 2:00 hormonal roller coaster 2:00 hormonal roller coaster . 2:01 . 2:01 . This is actually a 2:02 This is actually a 2:02 This is actually a 2:04 progesterone-induced phenomenon. 2:04 progesterone-induced phenomenon. Unlike late 2:05 Unlike late 2:05 Unlike late perimenopause, you 2:05 perimenopause, you 2:05 perimenopause, you start to 2:06 start to 2:06 start to skip 2:07 skip 2:07 skip periods altogether. You 2:08 periods altogether. You 2:08 periods altogether. You can have breaks of 2:09 can have breaks of 2:09 can have breaks of 2 months, 3 months, 4 2:10 2 months, 3 months, 4 2:10 2 months, 3 months, 4 months. 2:11 months. 2:11 months. Estrogen levels have been steadily 2:12 Estrogen levels have been steadily 2:12 Estrogen levels have been steadily declining throughout the 2:14 declining throughout the 2:14 declining throughout the early phase, and now 2:15 early phase, and now 2:15 early phase, and now symptoms tend to 2:16 symptoms tend to 2:16 symptoms tend to shift toward 2:17 shift toward 2:17 shift toward those of low 2:18 those of low 2:18 those of low estrogen. Until 2:19 estrogen. Until 2:19 estrogen. Until you reach the 2:21 you reach the 2:21 you reach the point where you have been 2:22 point where you have been 2:22 point where you have been without a period for 1 year 2:23 without a period for 1 year 2:23 without a period for 1 year or 12 2:24 or 12 2:24 or 12 consecutive months. And it's 2:25 consecutive months. And it's 2:25 consecutive months. And it's officially that day, 2:27 officially that day, 2:27 officially that day, menopause. So, 2:28 menopause. So, 2:28 menopause. So, estrogen becomes 2:29 estrogen becomes 2:29 estrogen becomes more of a problem in 2:30 more of a problem in 2:30 more of a problem in late perimenopause 2:31 late perimenopause . So understanding 2:32 . So understanding 2:33 . So understanding where you are on the 2:34 where you are on the 2:34 where you are on the timeline and that's 2:34 timeline and that's 2:34 timeline and that's important for what 2:35 important for what 2:36 important for what treatment you 2:36 treatment you 2:36 treatment you go through as well as 2:37 go through as well as 2:37 go through as well as what 2:38 what 2:38 what symptoms you have. And that's why it's 2:39 symptoms you have. And that's why it's 2:39 symptoms you have. And that's why it's important to know 2:40 important to know 2:40 important to know what stage you're at 2:41 what stage you're at 2:41 what stage you're at so you 2:42 so you 2:42 so you can get the 2:43 can get the 2:43 can get the right treatment. 2:44 right treatment. 2:44 right treatment. So, let's 2:45 So, let's 2:45 So, let's delve into the 10 signs 2:47 delve into the 10 signs . Sign number one: 2:49 . Sign number one: 2:49 . Sign number one: unexpectedly heavy 2:50 unexpectedly heavy 2:50 unexpectedly heavy periods, 2:51 periods, 2:51 periods, unpredictable 2:52 unpredictable 2:52 unpredictable periods, 2:53 periods, 2:53 periods, irregular cycles, 2:54 irregular cycles, 2:54 irregular cycles, possibly painful 2:55 possibly painful 2:55 possibly painful periods. 2:56 periods. 2:56 periods. Most women 2:57 Most women 2:57 Most women expect their 2:58 expect their 2:58 expect their periods to 2:58 periods to 2:59 periods to actually become 2:59 actually become 2:59 actually become lighter in 3:00 lighter in 3:00 lighter in perimenopause. But at 3:01 perimenopause. But at 3:01 perimenopause. But at the beginning of 3:02 the beginning of 3:02 the beginning of perimenopause, 3:03 perimenopause, 3:03 perimenopause, as 3:03 as 3:03 as estrogen levels rise 3:04 estrogen levels rise 3:05 estrogen levels rise erratically and 3:05 erratically and 3:05 erratically and build up extra 3:06 build up extra 3:06 build up extra thickness in the uterus, 3:07 thickness in the uterus, 3:07 thickness in the uterus, estrogen is actually 3:08 estrogen is actually 3:08 estrogen is actually building up the 3:09 building up the 3:09 building up the lining, and 3:10 lining, and 3:10 lining, and progesterone is saying, “ 3:11 progesterone is saying, “ Calm down.” We don't 3:12 Calm down.” We don't 3:12 Calm down.” We don't need such a thick 3:13 need such a thick 3:13 need such a thick mucous membrane." 3:14 mucous membrane." 3:15 mucous membrane." When you have more 3:16 When you have more 3:16 When you have more estrogen than 3:17 estrogen than 3:17 estrogen than progesterone, you 3:18 progesterone, you 3:18 progesterone, you actually experience 3:19 actually experience 3:20 actually experience heavy periods, 3:21 heavy periods, 3:21 heavy periods, like a "full-flow" period, and 3:22 like a "full-flow" period, and 3:22 like a "full-flow" period, and your cycle starts 3:23 your cycle starts 3:23 your cycle starts to change from being 3:25 to change from being 3:25 to change from being 28 days. Essentially, 3:26 28 days. Essentially, 3:26 28 days. Essentially, estrogen thickens 3:27 estrogen thickens 3:27 estrogen thickens the uterus, and there's 3:29 the uterus, and there's 3:29 the uterus, and there's not enough progesterone to 3:30 not enough progesterone to 3:30 not enough progesterone to say, "Stop." So, 3:31 say, "Stop." So, 3:31 say, "Stop." So, you develop 3:32 you develop 3:32 you develop thicker 3:33 thicker 3:33 thicker uterine tissue, which can 3:34 uterine tissue, which can 3:34 uterine tissue, which can lead to heavy, 3:35 lead to heavy, 3:35 lead to heavy, painful periods 3:37 painful periods . And then the unstable 3:38 . And then the unstable 3:38 . And then the unstable loss of progesterone 3:39 loss of progesterone 3:39 loss of progesterone leads to a change in 3:40 leads to a change in 3:40 leads to a change in cycle length. This 3:42 cycle length. This 3:42 cycle length. This is accompanied by 3:43 is accompanied by 3:43 is accompanied by sign number two, which is 3:44 sign number two, which is
Signs 1u20134: Period Changes, Breast Tenderness, Hot Flashes & Joint Pain 3:47 breast tenderness and swelling. When 3:47 breast tenderness and swelling. When you have a lot more 3:48 you have a lot more 3:48 you have a lot more estrogen, like 3:49 estrogen, like 3:49 estrogen, like heavy bleeding, 3:50 heavy bleeding, 3:50 heavy bleeding, your breasts may 3:51 your breasts may 3:51 your breasts may be sore or 3:52 be sore or 3:52 be sore or tender, and this is 3:53 tender, and this is 3:53 tender, and this is caused by these 3:54 caused by these 3:54 caused by these constant spikes of 3:55 constant spikes of 3:55 constant spikes of high and low 3:56 high and low 3:57 high and low estrogen levels that 3:58 estrogen levels that 3:58 estrogen levels that stimulate the 3:59 stimulate the 3:59 stimulate the breast tissue. It 4:00 breast tissue. It 4:00 breast tissue. It feels like PMS, 4:02 feels like PMS, 4:02 feels like PMS, but lasts a long, 4:03 but lasts a long, 4:03 but lasts a long, long time and happens 4:04 long time and happens 4:04 long time and happens very unpredictably 4:05 very unpredictably 4:05 very unpredictably in your cycle due to the 4:07 in your cycle due to the 4:07 in your cycle due to the ebb and flow of 4:08 ebb and flow of 4:08 ebb and flow of estrogen. Sign 4:10 estrogen. Sign 4:10 estrogen. Sign number three, hot flashes 4:12 number three, hot flashes 4:12 number three, hot flashes and night sweats. 4:13 and night sweats. 4:14 and night sweats. Your 4:15 Your 4:15 Your brain's thermostat is located in 4:16 brain's thermostat is located in 4:16 brain's thermostat is located in the hypothalamus, which is 4:17 the hypothalamus, which is 4:17 the hypothalamus, which is filled with 4:18 filled with 4:18 filled with 4:20 estrogen receptors. When 4:20 estrogen receptors. When estrogen levels 4:21 estrogen levels 4:21 estrogen levels start to fluctuate, 4:22 start to fluctuate, 4:22 start to fluctuate, up and down, your 4:23 up and down, your 4:23 up and down, your internal thermostat 4:25 internal thermostat 4:25 internal thermostat becomes very sensitive. 4:26 becomes very sensitive. 4:28 It perceives a 4:28 It perceives a tiny change in 4:29 tiny change in 4:29 tiny change in temperature as a crisis 4:30 temperature as a crisis 4:30 temperature as a crisis and triggers a massive 4:31 and triggers a massive 4:31 and triggers a massive release of heat. This is 4:33 release of heat. This is 4:33 release of heat. This is the tide. At night, when 4:34 the tide. At night, when 4:34 the tide. At night, when your body starts 4:35 your body starts 4:35 your body starts to cool down, which is 4:36 to cool down, which is 4:36 to cool down, which is normal, which is how 4:38 normal, which is how 4:38 normal, which is how we fall asleep and sleep 4:39 we fall asleep and sleep , these tiny droplets 4:40 , these tiny droplets 4:40 , these tiny droplets cause night 4:41 cause night 4:41 cause night sweats, and you 4:42 sweats, and you 4:42 sweats, and you feel 4:43 feel 4:43 feel wet, shivery, 4:44 wet, shivery, 4:44 wet, shivery, and just kind of miserable 4:45 and just kind of miserable 4:45 and just kind of miserable . You may 4:46 . You may 4:46 . You may even 4:47 even 4:47 even start to notice right before this 4:48 start to notice right before this 4:48 start to notice right before this that your 4:49 that your 4:49 that your temperature is high, 4:50 temperature is high, 4:50 temperature is high, as if you are taking off 4:51 as if you are taking off 4:51 as if you are taking off the blanket. Sign number 4:52 the blanket. Sign number 4:52 the blanket. Sign number four: 4:53 four: 4:53 four: joint stiffness and 4:54 joint stiffness and 4:54 joint stiffness and frozen shoulder syndrome. 4:55 frozen shoulder syndrome. 4:56 frozen shoulder syndrome. Estrogen is a powerful 4:57 Estrogen is a powerful 4:57 Estrogen is a powerful anti-inflammatory 4:58 anti-inflammatory 4:58 anti-inflammatory for your 4:59 for your 4:59 for your joints. When it 5:00 joints. When it 5:00 joints. When it falls, the connective 5:01 falls, the connective 5:01 falls, the connective tissue is lost, 5:02 tissue is lost, 5:03 tissue is lost, so you lose 5:04 so you lose 5:04 so you lose flexibility in the joint. A 5:05 flexibility in the joint. A 5:05 flexibility in the joint. A huge red 5:06 huge red 5:06 huge red flag in 5:07 flag in 5:07 flag in middle age is something 5:08 middle age is something 5:08 middle age is something called 5:08 called 5:08 called 5:10 frozen shoulder syndrome. The 5:10 frozen shoulder syndrome. The shoulder capsule has 5:11 shoulder capsule has 5:11 shoulder capsule has dense 5:12 dense 5:12 dense estrogen receptors. When 5:14 estrogen receptors. When 5:14 estrogen receptors. When levels drop, 5:15 levels drop, 5:15 levels drop, the tissue becomes inflamed 5:16 the tissue becomes inflamed 5:16 the tissue becomes inflamed and tense, and 5:17 and tense, and 5:17 and tense, and 5:20 stiffness develops. So that's 5:20 stiffness develops. So that's when you notice that you 5:21 when you notice that you 5:21 when you notice that you can't raise your 5:22 can't raise your 5:22 can't raise your arm or shoulder above the 5:24 arm or shoulder above the 5:24 arm or shoulder above the shoulder, and it's stiff, 5:25 shoulder, and it's stiff, 5:25 shoulder, and it's stiff, causing severe 5:26 causing severe 5:26 causing severe pain. In integrative 5:28 pain. In integrative 5:28 pain. In integrative medicine, when we 5:29 medicine, when we 5:29 medicine, when we treat women with 5:30 treat women with 5:30 treat women with hormone 5:31 hormone 5:31 hormone therapy, their 5:32 therapy, their 5:32 therapy, their chronic 5:33 chronic 5:33 chronic knee and shoulder pain 5:34 knee and shoulder pain 5:34 knee and shoulder pain often 5:35 often 5:35 often goes away so significantly that 5:36 goes away so significantly that 5:36 goes away so significantly that they end up 5:37 they end up 5:37 they end up canceling their 5:38 canceling their 5:38 canceling their visit to the orthopedic surgeon 5:39 visit to the orthopedic surgeon 5:39 visit to the orthopedic surgeon because it 5:40 because it 5:40 because it helps them 5:40 helps them 5:40 helps them improve flexibility, 5:42 improve flexibility, 5:42 improve flexibility, collagen, and 5:43 collagen, and 5:43 collagen, and joint health. Sign 5:45 joint health. Sign 5:45 joint health. Sign number five: sudden 5:46 number five: sudden 5:46 number five: sudden heartbeat. You can 5:47 heartbeat. You can 5:47 heartbeat. You can just sit on 5:48 just sit on 5:48 just sit on the couch and feel 5:49 the couch and feel 5:50 the couch and feel your heart flutter 5:51 your heart flutter 5:51 your heart flutter and speed up. And 5:52 and speed up. And 5:52 and speed up. And often it is very scary 5:53 often it is very scary . This causes 5:54 . This causes 5:54 . This causes great concern because 5:56 great concern because 5:59 your heart's normal pacemaker, the 5:59 your heart's normal pacemaker, the syandro-adenocyst node, is 6:00 syandro-adenocyst node, is 6:00 syandro-adenocyst node, is rich in 6:01 rich in 6:01 rich in estrogen receptors, which 6:02 estrogen receptors, which 6:02 estrogen receptors, which helps 6:02 helps 6:02 helps maintain a 6:03 maintain a 6:03 maintain a steady, rhythmic 6:04 steady, rhythmic 6:04 steady, rhythmic electrical rhythm. 6:05 electrical rhythm. 6:06 electrical rhythm. When estrogen levels 6:07 When estrogen levels 6:07 When estrogen levels 6:08 fluctuate, and 6:08 fluctuate, and progesterone levels fluctuate, this 6:09 progesterone levels fluctuate, this 6:09 progesterone levels fluctuate, this electrical 6:10 electrical 6:10 electrical stability 6:11 stability 6:11 stability is disrupted. And you 6:13 is disrupted. And you 6:13 is disrupted. And you may notice that 6:14 may notice that 6:14 may notice that you have problems with your 6:15 you have problems with your 6:15 you have problems with your heartbeat. If you are 6:17 heartbeat. If you are 6:17 heartbeat. If you are experiencing shortness of breath 6:18 experiencing shortness of breath 6:18 experiencing shortness of breath or feel like 6:19 or feel like 6:19 or feel like something is wrong, 6:20 something is wrong, 6:20 something is wrong, go to the 6:21 go to the 6:21 go to the 6:23 emergency room. This does not 6:23 emergency room. This does not replace making a 6:24 replace making a 6:24 replace making a diagnosis, but it may 6:26 diagnosis, but it may 6:26 diagnosis, but it may be related to this 6:27 be related to this 6:27 be related to this transition. Sign 6:29 transition. Sign 6:29 transition. Sign number six, 6:30 number six, 6:30 number six, the worst one that everyone 6:31 the worst one that everyone 6:31 the worst one that everyone hates, is fat here, 6:33 hates, is fat here, 6:33 hates, is fat here, in the middle of the belly. 6:34 in the middle of the belly. 6:34 in the middle of the belly. When estrogen levels are 6:35 When estrogen levels are 6:35 When estrogen levels are 6:37 optimal, your 6:37 optimal, your body tends to 6:38 body tends to 6:38 body tends to store fat in your 6:39 store fat in your 6:39 store fat in your thighs. And when it 6:40 thighs. And when it 6:40 thighs. And when it drops, you start to 6:41 drops, you start to 6:41 drops, you start to accumulate more 6:42 accumulate more 6:42 accumulate more in your stomach. Lower 6:44 in your stomach. Lower 6:44 in your stomach. Lower estrogen levels 6:45 estrogen levels 6:45 estrogen levels also make tissues 6:46 also make tissues 6:46 also make tissues more sensitive to 6:47 more sensitive to 6:47 more sensitive to insulin, which 6:48 insulin, which 6:48 insulin, which means your 6:48 means your 6:48 means your body 6:49 body 6:49 body stores sugar 6:51 stores sugar 6:51 stores sugar as 6:51 as 6:51 as visceral fat much more easily, 6:52 visceral fat much more easily, 6:52 visceral fat much more easily, even if your 6:53 even if your 6:53 even if your training and diet 6:54 training and diet 6:54 training and diet haven't changed. Which will be 6:56 haven't changed. Which will be 6:56 haven't changed. Which will be one of the most 6:57 one of the most 6:57 one of the most unpleasant things. 6:58 unpleasant things. 6:58 unpleasant things. In fact, I made a 6:59 In fact, I made a 6:59 In fact, I made a video on how to 7:00 video on how to 7:00 video on how to get rid of 7:00 get rid of 7:00 get rid of visceral fat, 7:02 visceral fat, 7:02 visceral fat, check it out. Symptom 7:03 check it out. Symptom 7:03 check it out. Symptom number seven, I can't 7:04 number seven, I can't 7:04 number seven, I can't sleep. While night 7:06 sleep. While night 7:06 sleep. While night sweats and 7:07 sweats and 7:07 sweats and hot flashes can 7:08 hot flashes can 7:08 hot flashes can make it difficult to sleep, 7:09 make it difficult to sleep, 7:09 make it difficult to sleep, progesterone is a silent 7:10 progesterone is a silent 7:10 progesterone is a silent sleep killer. It 7:12 sleep killer. It 7:12 sleep killer. It converts into 7:13 converts into 7:13 converts into neurosteroids that 7:14 neurosteroids that 7:14 neurosteroids that stimulate 7:16 stimulate 7:16 stimulate GABA receptors so your brain 7:17 GABA receptors so your brain 7:17 GABA receptors so your brain can fall asleep and stay asleep. 7:18 can fall asleep and stay asleep. 7:19 can fall asleep and stay asleep. When 7:19 When 7:19 When progesterone levels drop in 7:21 progesterone levels drop in 7:21 progesterone levels drop in perimenopause, you 7:22 perimenopause, you 7:22 perimenopause, you notice that you can't 7:23 notice that you can't 7:23 notice that you can't fall asleep and 7:24 fall asleep and 7:24 fall asleep and stay asleep, waking up at 7:25 stay asleep, waking up at 7:25 stay asleep, waking up at 3:00 a.m., 4:00 a.m. with a 7:27 3:00 a.m., 4:00 a.m. with a 7:27 3:00 a.m., 4:00 a.m. with a fuss. And this is 7:28 fuss. And this is 7:28 fuss. And this is related to the transition 7:29 related to the transition 7:29 related to the transition to perimenopause. 7:30 to perimenopause. 7:32 Symptom number eight, 7:32 Symptom number eight, itching, dry 7:34 itching, dry 7:34 itching, dry skin everywhere. From eyes 7:36 skin everywhere. From eyes 7:36 skin everywhere. From eyes to ears. Estrogen 7:38 to ears. Estrogen 7:38 to ears. Estrogen lubricates mucous 7:39 lubricates mucous 7:39 lubricates mucous membranes as well as 7:40 membranes as well as 7:40 membranes as well as the skin. When it falls, 7:42 the skin. When it falls, 7:42 the skin. When it falls, dryness occurs 7:43 dryness occurs 7:43 dryness occurs everywhere. Dry eyes, dry 7:44 everywhere. Dry eyes, dry 7:44 everywhere. Dry eyes, dry skin, dry vagina, 7:45 skin, dry vagina, 7:45 skin, dry vagina, dry itchy ear 7:47 dry itchy ear 7:47 dry itchy ear canals, symptoms of 7:48 canals, symptoms of 7:48 canals, symptoms of dry 7:49 dry 7:49 dry bladder. So, you
Signs 5u201310 + Why Blood Tests Can Miss Perimenopause 7:50 bladder. So, you 7:50 bladder. So, you need to 7:51 need to 7:51 need to go to the toilet more often, 7:52 go to the toilet more often, 7:52 go to the toilet more often, symptoms of 7:53 symptoms of 7:53 symptoms of urgency. All 7:54 urgency. All 7:54 urgency. All this is related to 7:55 this is related to 7:55 this is related to dry skin. Sign 7:58 dry skin. Sign 7:58 dry skin. Sign number nine: 7:59 number nine: 7:59 number nine: sudden anxiety, rage, 8:01 sudden anxiety, rage, 8:01 sudden anxiety, rage, or mood swings. 8:02 or mood swings. 8:02 or mood swings. This is definitely my 8:04 This is definitely my 8:04 This is definitely my most difficult symptom. 8:05 most difficult symptom. 8:05 most difficult symptom. Estrogen modulates 8:06 Estrogen modulates 8:06 Estrogen modulates key 8:07 key 8:07 key neurotransmitters such 8:08 neurotransmitters such 8:08 neurotransmitters such as serotonin, the 8:10 as serotonin, the 8:10 as serotonin, the happiness hormone, dopamine, the 8:11 happiness hormone, dopamine, the 8:11 happiness hormone, dopamine, the reward hormone, and 8:12 reward hormone, and 8:12 reward hormone, and GABA, the sleep hormone. When 8:13 GABA, the sleep hormone. When 8:13 GABA, the sleep hormone. When its level 8:14 its level 8:14 its level decreases, it seems to 8:15 decreases, it seems to 8:15 decreases, it seems to throw you off 8:16 throw you off 8:16 throw you off balance. It's not 8:17 balance. It's not 8:17 balance. It's not just about a change in 8:18 just about a change in 8:18 just about a change in mood. It's literally 8:19 mood. It's literally 8:19 mood. It's literally happening to you. 8:21 happening to you. 8:21 happening to you. This is a biological shift 8:22 This is a biological shift 8:22 This is a biological shift that can 8:23 that can 8:23 that can trigger sudden 8:24 trigger sudden 8:24 trigger sudden panic attacks, 8:25 panic attacks, 8:25 panic attacks, bad moods, 8:26 bad moods, 8:26 bad moods, feelings of rage, and 8:27 feelings of rage, and 8:27 feelings of rage, and a feeling that you are not 8:28 a feeling that you are not 8:28 a feeling that you are not yourself. And this is something I 8:31 yourself. And this is something I 8:31 yourself. And this is something I see often, and something I have 8:32 see often, and something I have 8:32 see often, and something I have experienced myself. 8:33 experienced myself. 8:34 experienced myself. Sign number 10: 8:36 Sign number 10: 8:36 Sign number 10: Brain fog and 8:38 Brain fog and 8:38 Brain fog and ADHD symptoms. Estrogen 8:40 ADHD symptoms. Estrogen 8:40 ADHD symptoms. Estrogen improves blood flow to the 8:41 improves blood flow to the 8:41 improves blood flow to the brain. It helps 8:44 brain. It helps 8:44 brain. It helps in sugar processing, 8:45 in sugar processing, 8:45 in sugar processing, how your brain 8:46 how your brain 8:46 how your brain gets energy, 8:47 gets energy, 8:47 gets energy, especially in the cortex. When 8:49 especially in the cortex. When 8:49 especially in the cortex. When estrogen fluctuates 8:51 estrogen fluctuates , the speed of information processing 8:52 , the speed of information processing 8:52 , the speed of information processing 8:54 slows down. You 8:54 slows down. You walk into a room and 8:55 walk into a room and 8:55 walk into a room and think, “What am I 8:56 think, “What am I 8:56 think, “What am I doing here? "Who's that 8:57 doing here? "Who's that 8:57 doing here? "Who's that guy I 8:58 guy I 8:58 guy I went to high 8:58 went to high 8:59 went to high school with?" You can 8:59 school with?" You can 9:00 school with?" You can lose your train of thought 9:00 lose your train of thought 9:01 lose your train of thought even in the middle of a 9:01 even in the middle of a 9:02 even in the middle of a sentence. And if you've 9:03 sentence. And if you've 9:03 sentence. And if you've been diagnosed with ADHD, 9:04 been diagnosed with ADHD, 9:04 been diagnosed with ADHD, it can feel like a 9:05 it can feel like a 9:05 it can feel like a loss of focus and a 9:06 loss of focus and a 9:07 loss of focus and a feeling of being very, very 9:08 feeling of being very, very 9:08 feeling of being very, very overwhelmed. 9:09 overwhelmed. 9:10 overwhelmed. Okay, finally, 9:10 Okay, finally, 9:10 Okay, finally, let's look at 9:12 let's look at 9:12 let's look at the trap. So many 9:13 the trap. So many 9:13 the trap. So many women go to the doctor 9:14 women go to the doctor , have their FSH levels measured 9:15 , have their FSH levels measured 9:15 , have their FSH levels measured , and are told, " 9:16 , and are told, " Your lab 9:16 Your lab 9:16 Your lab results are normal." 9:17 results are normal." 9:18 results are normal." You are not 9:18 You are not 9:18 You are not perimenopausal." But 9:19 perimenopausal." But 9:19 perimenopausal." But here's the truth. During 9:21 here's the truth. During 9:21 here's the truth. During perimenopause, FSH levels 9:22 perimenopause, FSH levels 9:24 fluctuate dramatically. On 9:24 fluctuate dramatically. On Tuesday it might 9:25 Tuesday it might 9:25 Tuesday it might be 40, the 9:26 be 40, the 9:26 be 40, the menopausal level, and then 9:27 menopausal level, and then 9:27 menopausal level, and then 6 weeks later you 9:28 6 weeks later you 9:28 6 weeks later you check it and it's an 9:29 check it and it's an 9:29 check it and it's an eight, which is 9:30 eight, which is 9:30 eight, which is completely normal. 9:31 completely normal. 9:34 One snapshot of this 9:34 One snapshot of this blood test on a 9:34 blood test on a 9:35 blood test on a random day does not 9:36 random day does not 9:36 random day does not rule out 9:36 rule out 9:36 rule out perimenopause. 9:37 perimenopause. 9:37 perimenopause. In fact, we do 9:38 In fact, we do 9:38 In fact, we do n't have a blood test 9:39 n't have a blood test 9:39 n't have a blood test specifically 9:40 specifically 9:40 specifically designed for 9:41 designed for 9:41 designed for perimenopause. It is 9:42 perimenopause. It is 9:42 perimenopause. It is based 9:43 based 9:43 based mainly on a clinical 9:44 mainly on a clinical 9:44 mainly on a clinical diagnosis, your age 9:45 diagnosis, your age , what is happening with 9:46 , what is happening with 9:47 , what is happening with your cycle, and your 9:48 your cycle, and your 9:48 your cycle, and your symptoms. So it 9:49 symptoms. So it 9:49 symptoms. So it can still be 9:49 can still be 9:49 can still be inserted even 9:50 inserted even 9:50 inserted even if you've had a 9:51 if you've had a 9:51 if you've had a hysterectomy, 9:52 hysterectomy, 9:52 hysterectomy, ablation, or an IUD 9:52 ablation, or an IUD 9:52 ablation, or an IUD 9:54 and you don't 9:54 and you don't know when you 9:55 know when you 9:55 know when you actually had your 9:55 actually had your 9:55 actually had your last cycle. This is 9:56 last cycle. This is 9:56 last cycle. This is normal, you 9:57 normal, you 9:57 normal, you can still 9:58 can still 9:58 can still make a diagnosis 9:59 make a diagnosis 9:59 make a diagnosis because it is a 9:59 because it is a 9:59 because it is a clinical diagnosis. And a 10:00 clinical diagnosis. And a 10:00 clinical diagnosis. And a blood test is not 10:01 blood test is not 10:01 blood test is not necessary to 10:02 necessary to 10:02 necessary to prove that you 10:03 prove that you 10:03 prove that you are in 10:04 are in 10:04 are in perimenopause. 10:05 perimenopause. 10:05 perimenopause. Before assuming every 10:06 Before assuming every 10:06 Before assuming every symptom is 10:06 symptom is 10:06 symptom is perimenopause, your 10:07 perimenopause, your 10:07 perimenopause, your doctor should also 10:08 doctor should also 10:08 doctor should also check for 10:09 check for 10:09 check for overlapping 10:10 overlapping 10:10 overlapping conditions. 10:11 conditions. 10:11 conditions. 10:12 Thyroid disease, 10:12 Thyroid disease, 10:14 thyroid dysfunction, 10:14 thyroid dysfunction, very often 10:14 very often 10:14 very often leads to fatigue, 10:15 leads to fatigue, 10:15 leads to fatigue, hair loss, 10:16 hair loss, 10:16 hair loss, brain fog – 10:17 brain fog – all very similar 10:18 all very similar 10:18 all very similar symptoms. Things 10:19 symptoms. Things 10:19 symptoms. Things like elevated prolactin levels 10:20 like elevated prolactin levels 10:22 can also cause this. 10:22 can also cause this. Anemia, low 10:23 Anemia, low 10:23 Anemia, low ferritin levels, 10:24 ferritin levels, 10:24 ferritin levels, electrolyte 10:25 electrolyte 10:25 electrolyte abnormalities – all of these 10:26 abnormalities – all of these 10:26 abnormalities – all of these should be checked by your 10:27 should be checked by your 10:27 should be checked by your doctor to rule out 10:28 doctor to rule out 10:28 doctor to rule out any other cause 10:29 any other cause . But the good news 10:30 . But the good news 10:30 . But the good news is that you 10:31 is that you 10:31 is that you don't have to endure 10:32 don't have to endure 10:32 don't have to endure this phase. From 10:33 this phase. From 10:33 this phase. From 10:35 bioidentical 10:35 bioidentical progesterone and 10:36 progesterone and 10:36 progesterone and estrogen support in the early 10:37 estrogen support in the early 10:37 estrogen support in the early stages of 10:37 stages of 10:37 stages of perimenopause to 10:38 perimenopause to 10:38 perimenopause to general 10:39 general 10:39 general lifestyle changes such 10:40 lifestyle changes such 10:40 lifestyle changes such as certain foods 10:41 as certain foods 10:41 as certain foods and 10:42 and 10:42 and exercise, there are 10:44 exercise, there are 10:44 exercise, there are many 10:45 many 10:45 many lifestyle strategies and 10:46 lifestyle strategies and 10:46 lifestyle strategies and medications that are clear 10:47 medications that are clear 10:47 medications that are clear and effective 10:48 and effective 10:48 and effective options for 10:48 options for 10:48 options for restoring the desired 10:50 restoring the desired 10:50 restoring the desired quality of life. I'm 10:51 quality of life. I'm 10:51 quality of life. I'm curious, leave 10:52 curious, leave 10:52 curious, leave a comment below, which 10:53 a comment below, which 10:53 a comment below, which of these 10 symptoms 10:54 of these 10 symptoms 10:56 surprised you the most? Or 10:56 surprised you the most? Or maybe something 10:57 maybe something 10:57 maybe something you're currently dealing with 10:58 you're currently dealing with 10:58 you're currently dealing with and want 10:59 and want 10:59 and want more answers to. 11:00 more answers to. 11:00 more answers to. If this video 11:01 If this video 11:01 If this video helped you 11:02 helped you 11:02 helped you understand, 11:02 understand, 11:02 understand, share it with a 11:03 share it with a 11:03 share it with a friend who 11:04 friend who 11:04 friend who needs to 11:04 needs to 11:04 needs to see it, 11:05 see it, 11:05 see it, subscribe, and 11:06 subscribe, and 11:06 subscribe, and follow me for 11:06 follow me for 11:08 more information 11:08 more information on 11:09 on 11:09 on midlife care. 11:10 midlife care. 11:10 midlife care. See you after the 11:10 See you after the 11:11 See you after the next video.
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