Navigating through perimenopause feels a bit like trying to keep your footing on a seesaw.  Today we take a look at a form of estrogen called estradiol, or E2, a key player behind the scenes of a woman’s reproductive system. This hormone starts fluctuating during perimenopause, and boy, do we feel it. 

Think of your menstrual cycle turning into a bit of a wild card. One month it’s here, the next it’s not, and when it does show up, it’s all over the place. It’s like your body’s decided to improvise, leaving you to manage the surprises.

And who can ignore the sudden heat waves? Hot flashes and night sweats swoop in unannounced, turning your cool composure into a hot mess – quite literally. It’s like your internal thermostat has gone haywire, deciding on a tropical climate at the most inconvenient times.

But it’s not just the physical rollercoaster; it’s the emotional one too. One minute you’re fine, the next, you’re not quite sure why you’re feeling so blue or why you walked into the room in the first place. That’s estradiol for you, dabbling in your mood and memory.

The plot thickens with metabolism. Just when you thought you had it all figured out, estradiol decides to mix things up. You might notice a bit more padding around the middle, even if you haven’t changed your diet. Plus, your muscle mass might start to take a backseat, slowing down your metabolism and making it harder to keep those extra pounds at bay.

So, what’s a gal to do? It’s all about adapting your lifestyle to this new script. Keeping active, especially with strength training, can help counteract muscle loss and keep your metabolism active. Watching what you eat, favouring whole foods, and keeping hydrated can help manage weight changes.   Make rest and relaxation an important part of your week – you’ll need some down time both physically and mentally.   And combat those feelings of anxiety and overwhelm with self kindness and forgiveness.

Don’t forget the power of a good venting session with a friend, or finding your zen through meditation or yoga. Managing stress and connecting with others going through the same stage can make this transition less of a solo journey.

In short, while we can’t control the estradiol rollercoaster, we can certainly choose how to ride it. By tweaking our lifestyle and mindset, we can navigate through perimenopause with a bit more grace and a lot less stress.