Written by: Autumn Walsh (She/Her) MSW, LSW, CCTS
Perimenopause is a natural phase in menstruating people’s lives that precedes menopause, generally occurring in people assigned female at birth (AFAB) in their mid-30s to early 40s. However, this transitional period (no pun intended) is often misunderstood, underreported, and stigmatized, particularly in societies that neglect health issues for menstruating people. From a social justice perspective, it is crucial to address the challenges menstruating people face during perimenopause, including physical symptoms, socioeconomic impacts, and the societal stigma surrounding this vital phase of aging.
What Happens in the Body During Perimenopause?
Perimenopause is characterized by hormonal fluctuations, primarily involving estrogen and progesterone. (Learn more) The ovaries gradually produce less estrogen, causing irregular periods and a variety of physical, cognitive, socioemotional, and psychological symptoms.
Key Symptoms of Perimenopause
Irregular Menstrual Cycles: Periods can become longer, shorter, heavier, or lighter.
Hot Flashes and Night Sweats: Sudden feelings of extreme heat are common and very uncomfortable. This can often disrupt sleep and daily functionality.
Mood Changes: Increased irritability, anxiety, or depressive symptoms often arise due to hormonal imbalances.
Weight Gain: Many experience weight changes during this phase, often exacerbated by metabolic changes.
Vaginal Dryness and Discomfort: Decreased estrogen levels can lead to dryness, affecting sexual health and intimacy.
Cognitive Changes: Memory lapses and difficulty concentrating commonly referred to as “brain fog.”
Sleep Disturbances: Insomnia or difficulty maintaining sleep can be significant.
Understanding these symptoms through a scientific and empathetic lens is essential for addressing healthcare disparities many menstruating people face during this life phase.
The Socioeconomic Impact of Perimenopause
People experiencing perimenopause may encounter various socioeconomic hurdles that can amplify their challenges.
Workplace Challenges: Symptoms such as hot flashes and brain fog can impact job performance and productivity, yet workplace policies often lack accommodations for people facing these issues.
Healthcare Access: Many menstruating people do not receive information or treatments suited to their needs. Those from marginalized communities may experience even worse healthcare access, not just for perimenopause but for all health issues.
Mental Health Stigma: The emotional symptoms associated with perimenopause can lead to feelings of isolation. Society often stigmatizes mental health struggles, making it difficult to seek the help you need.
Economic Strain: Increased healthcare costs for managing very uncomfortable symptoms, alongside potential productivity losses due to health challenges, can lead to financial strain. Increased healthcare costs often arise due to the underlying misogyny of the healthcare system, where perimenopause is downplayed, minimized, and understudied. Menstruating people may be written off by medical professionals during this life phase.
Social Isolation: Menstruating people may withdraw from social interactions due to insecurity about their symptoms, leading to decreased social support.
Challenging the Stigma
Culturally, perimenopause is often shrouded in silence and stigma, leading to feelings of shame or reluctance to discuss symptoms openly. This is compounded by societal narratives that often equate aging with a decline in value or worth. To disrupt this harmful cycle, it is essential to foster open dialogues about perimenopause. Some strategies include:
Education and Awareness: Providing accurate information about perimenopause through health campaigns can demystify the phases and empower menstruating people.
Encouraging Conversations: Healthcare providers and organizations can promote discussions about perimenopause to create supportive environments for people.
Policy Advocacy: Advocating for workplace accommodations, such as flexible work hours or health resources tailored for menstruating people, can significantly improve quality of life.
Inclusive Health Research: Expanding research on health for people of all genders, particularly focusing on marginalized communities, can help address the knowledge gap and direct resources to those in need.
Conclusion
Perimenopause is a crucial phase in menstruating people’s lives, and ALL menstruating people will experience this phase; therefore, it deserves attention and understanding. By approaching this topic from a social justice perspective, we can recognize the physical, emotional, and socioeconomic difficulties menstruating people face during this life transition. Addressing the stigma and advocating for better education, research, and healthcare access is vital to ensuring that all menstruating people can navigate perimenopause with dignity and support.
Let us create a world where all menstruating people are empowered to embrace all phases of their lives. This requires dismantling the stigma, ensuring equitable access to resources, and fostering supportive communities. Only then can we promote holistic health and well-being for all menstruating people experiencing perimenopause.
The information contained in this blog does not replace professional treatment or diagnosis and is for educational purposes only.
