So, perimenopause is an absolute nightmare! Here are some of the facts about perimenopause before we get into the personal stuff.
The general length of perimenopause varies for each woman, but on average, it lasts about four to eight years. Perimenopause not only affects a woman physically but can also have a profound impact on their mental wellness. Hormonal fluctuations can contribute to mood swings, irritability, and heightened emotional sensitivity. Women can also experience increased anxiety, depression, or feelings of being overwhelmed during, sleep disturbances resulting from night sweats or racing thoughts can further exacerbate these emotional challenges. Another lovely symptom I experienced from my journey towards menopause are heart palpitations due to constant changes in my hormones and my body’s consistent attempts to regulate itself.
Now let me first clarify to anyone that reads this, anytime you have issues or concerns about your heart regardless of perimenopause or menopause influences, make sure that you consult your physician. I began with my primary care physician expressing my concerns and ruled out any heart issues (even wore a heart monitor for a few days and the heart was fine). After tests were completed, it was determined that my palpitations were most likely influenced by hormonal changes and anxious episodes connected to hormonal changes. Isn’t that lovely? To make matters worse, it was suggested to me to decrease my caffeine intake to see if this would decrease the frequency of the palpitations.
I should tell you that coffee is to me as alcohol is to other people. I love the smell, colors, textures, and flavors. I love dousing it with my high dosed sugar- filled creamer and having several large mugs full before 10am, so asking me to give this up was an abominable thought and an even more insurmountable task. I began with substituting half regular ground coffee beans and half decaffeinated in my coffee pots daily for several weeks and then switched to full on decaf. Now, I know what you’re thinking, what’s the point of still drinking decaf coffee, why not just give the coffee up completely? The point is, I still need the taste and smell! Perimenopause can take the caffeine by I am still fighting to the death for the coffee itself.
Here is my 3 months post caffeine report. I do not feel incredibly different! What I mean by this is, I do not feel “clearer in the morning” or “free of the afternoon sluggish feelings” I am still exhausted between 1pm and 2pm daily no matter what. However, I will admit that I have had a significant decrease in those damn palpitations. I am still incredibly pissed that perimenopause gets to control so many aspects of my life and overall wellbeing but I thought I would share this info and tell you that although it saddens me to be off the caffeine (except for the occasional Diet Dr Pepper because dah, its Diet Dr. Pepper) it did help me decrease this particular perimenopause symptom and I have found some really good decaf coffees along the way that helped to make the switch a bit easier on my soul.
