If you’ve ever found yourself wide awake at 3 AM, googling, “Am I in perimenopause?”—you are not alone.
Perimenopause can be a wild ride, and let’s be honest, it’s not exactly dinner table conversation. Many of us were raised in cultures where menopause was either whispered about in hushed tones or simply ignored altogether. So when symptoms start creeping in—hot flashes, mood swings, brain fog, sleep disruptions, and a metabolism that seems to have suddenly developed an independent agenda—it’s easy to feel like you’re the only one dealing with this.
Spoiler alert: you’re not.
The Isolation of Perimenopause
One of the biggest challenges of perimenopause is the overwhelming sense of isolation. So many people suffer in silence, not realizing that millions of others are experiencing the exact same things. It doesn’t help that even when we do bring it up, we’re often met with responses like, “Oh, you’re just getting older” or “Try some lavender oil” or “You’re just stressed, try to relax more”—all of which may be well-meaning but don’t quite cut it.
The Taboo Factor
Despite the fact that perimenopause is a biological certainty for half the population, it’s still treated like a niche topic. We have entire aisles in drugstores dedicated to pregnancy, fertility, and even puberty, but perimenopause? You’re lucky if you find a dusty bottle of black cohosh in the back corner. The lack of open discussion means many people don’t even know what’s normal—or that they have options for managing symptoms.
The Information Overload Dilemma
And then there’s social media. A blessing and a curse. I’m sure you’re not the only one being bombarded with an avalanche of conflicting advice and product pitches promising to make it all go away. Some say hormone therapy is a miracle; others claim it’s unnatural or outright dangerous (even many medical doctors aren’t up to date on the research and patients continue to get mixed messages). Menopause influencers will swear by strict diets, while others insist you just need to “relax” and let nature take it’s course. How are you supposed to know what’s actually evidence-based and what’s just someone’s personal opinion wrapped in a pretty infographic?
Who Do You Talk To?
Your doctor? Maybe—but with today’s healthcare system often limiting visits to a single concern per appointment, how do you even begin to untangle the mess of symptoms you can barely articulate? Your friends? Possibly—but if they’re in the same boat, they might be just as lost as you are. Your partner? Sure—but let’s be real, they may not fully understand why you suddenly want to live alone, or snap at them for breathing too loudly.
The Power of Community Support
This is where finding your “perimenopause people” comes in. Community can be a game-changer when it comes to navigating this transition. Talking to others who get it—who have been in the trenches of night sweats and brain fog and have come out the other side (or are still deep in the thick of it with you)—can be incredibly validating.
That’s why models of group or community menopause education are emerging as a powerful way to receive support. In a small group setting, you don’t just get answers—you get to hear the questions you didn’t even know you had from others going through the same thing. You gain insight, connection, and the relief of knowing you’re not alone.
Knowledge is Power (And So Is Shared Experience)
The truth is, there’s no single “right” way to do perimenopause. But having the right information—credible and evidence-based—can make all the difference. It allows you to make informed decisions about your health, feel more confident through the ups and downs, and maybe even laugh a little along the way (because honestly, sometimes all you can do is laugh when you find your keys in the fridge).
So if you’re feeling lost, overwhelmed, or just plain tired of trying to figure it all out alone, know this: you don’t have to. There are providers, communities, and people ready to walk this road with you. Sharing stories, learning from experts, and finding connection can be the difference between struggling through perimenopause and navigating it with confidence.
This is why I created the Perimenopause with Confidence Series and the Perimenopause with Connection Series - Because no one should have to do perimenopause alone—and neither should you.
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