I am a very healthy 46-year-old woman, but between my commitment to a healthy lifestyle and my good luck in the gene pool, people often think I’m at least 10 years younger. So my outside says 35, yet my insides are screaming at me, “Nope, you’re really 46, and it’s time to pay the piper, woman!”
It was a year ago when I began to notice subtle shifts in my body – both in how it looked and how it was functioning. The truth was, my hormones were having a field day. Me? Not so much.
I started:
Having really unpredictable periods – with sometimes as few as 18 days between cycles, and sometimes as many as 45;
Experiencing insomnia despite being a lifelong sound sleeper;
Being totally drained of energy – the kind of rundown feeling you have with the flu – when I’m normally the energizer bunny;
Losing my hair! I started to see my scalp;
Losing muscle tone – I am stronger than ever but I don’t look like it;
Having a heightened sense of smell just like when I was pregnant (trust me, this is not always a gift in a house with four guys);
Losing my eyesight – I can’t see in the dark anymore, and I can’t read small print (which makes navigating menus in dimly lit restaurants a particularly amusing challenge);
Having “ugly days” when I looked in the mirror and didn’t like what I saw. This is the symptom that made me wake up and take action because self-confidence is the bedrock of how we function in the world. I was not okay with being down on myself.
So I started to dig around online, trying to figure out what the heck was going on with my otherwise well-functioning body. I knew these symptoms and feelings weren’t “me,” so I needed to get informed and do something about it. Feeling sluggish and ugly is no way to live – not to mention, NOBODY TALKS ABOUT THIS PERSONAL STUFF, YET EVERYONE IN MY CIRCLE OF FRIENDS IS LIVING IT!
I typed “perimenopause” into the search bar, and holy cow – the Internet had a LOT to say about it. I had an inkling this was the phase of life my body was starting, and sure enough, all the great information I found confirmed my suspicions: I was up to my neck IN IT! So, yes, I’m in perimenopause, but I am not going down without a fight!
Perimenopause is referred to as the final cessation of your menstrual cycle and the time when you will start to see and feel the signs and symptoms of menopause—including weight gain, hot flashes, and mood swings. Perimenopause differs for every woman, but on average it takes about a year to complete, between the ages of 45 to 55, after which time you are post-menopausal.
I definitely felt comforted knowing what was happening to me (knowledge is power!), but I still wasn’t going to lie down and let my hormones take charge of my entire existence. No flipping way.
Yet information about how to thwart this menopausal missile proved harder to find. Where were the natural tools for easing symptoms and tips and tricks for feeling normal again without shooting up hormones? Um, nowhere! What I did find was more of the same old commandments for good living:
- Prioritize your nutrition (Duh!)
- Exercise regularly (Double-duh!)
- Reduce stress (No brainer!)
WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Somebody call 911!!!!! Where are the answers for those of us already doing these things and STILL falling apart?
While I was on the Google I stumbled onto an herbal supplement called Ashwagandha. It sounded like a miracle so to make sure I wasn’t being sold a bunch of witchcraft I emailed my acupuncturist whom I’ve known 11 years and she confirmed, “NO, IT’S NOT WITCHCRAFT AND YES, YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS!” and my life has been forever changed. Ashwagandha is an herbal remedy that has been known to prevent menopausal and perimenopausal symptoms. What’s so magical about it? Well, plants and herbs can adapt to the needs of our bodies because they share some molecular features with our own hormones, which allows them to support our hormone production, make it slower, and even mimic what our own hormones do, depending on the body’s unique needs.
Why am I so in love with Ashwagandha and why can’t I stop sharing all the amazing benefits? Because here’s what it does:
1. Promotes Graceful Aging
Stress dramatically affects aging. Cortisol, the body’s stress hormone, contributes to muscle loss and weakness, wrinkles, and cognitive impairment. Research has found that Ashwagandha improves resistance to stress by possibly decreasing cortisol production.
2. Eases Symptoms
Ashwagandha acts on the endocrine system (which produces hormones) by encouraging hormone balance and reduces hot flashes and anxiety. Added bonus? It counteracts that bitchy, grumpy PMS mood you woke up in.
3. Supports Memory Retention
Mind drawing a blank? Can’t remember that person’s name or what you were about to say? Research has shown that Ashwagandha combats memory loss. Plus, the herb is a natural relaxant and fights stress, which keeps your brain clearer and more focused.
4. Increases Energy
Another benefit many women report after taking this herb is an increase in energy. I know I got my bunny mojo back and definitely feel the boost after I take my morning capsule.
5. Boosts Moods
Ashwagandha is a known mood-boosting herb and research suggests that the therapeutic plant may play a potential role in fighting mood imbalance. Got mood swings? You may benefit from taking this supplement.
Ashwagandha has changed my life dramatically over the last year! What began as a downward spiral into feeling like a stranger in my own body led me to get educated about perimenopause and find a natural supplement that helps me control the symptoms.
I hope I’ve inspired you to take charge of your body and to find the natural and powerful combination that works best for youI
Ashwagandha can be found in liquid and capsule form. Always look for an organic supplement that comes from a trusted, high-quality source. Be sure to consult with your doctor because I certainly am not one!