Dr. Kelly Simms ND, CNS

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in Women's Health

Four Signs It Might Be Perimenopause

Being a woman is a roller coaster of hormones, from the time you get your first period until the day you get the last one (and even after that, really).

Even though it’s often easy to see where you are on that journey and even how well you’re buckled in, sometimes it gets a bit murky as to whether or not you’ve entered a new stage of womanhood. Perimenopause is one of those grey areas for many women, but there are some signs that make it easier to know where you are.

Signs and Symptoms of Perimenopause

Perimenopause starts four to five years before menopause, on average, and signals the beginning of the end of your fertility.

For many women, this important stage happens in their 40s, but others may experience it as early as their late 30s. There’s no right time to experience perimenopause, but there are certain signs that come with it that can be fairly unmistakable when considered together.

These four are vital to watch for:

  • Irregular periods. Although other conditions can cause irregular periods, perimenopause certainly will. As your estrogen levels become less consistent, you’ll find that your periods sort of happen when they happen.
    According to Michelle Warren, medical director for the Center of Menopause, Hormonal Disorders and Women’s Health at Columbia University, not getting your period for three months straight (if you had regular periods before perimenopause) typically signals that menopause is close. “You’ll likely stop having periods within a year,” she told Prevention Magazine.
  • Hot flashes. Oh, to be a woman and be perimenopausal! Hot flashes are the iconic symptom of menopause, but they actually can start long before that. The spontaneous heat and sweating that are characteristic of these episodes are thought to be caused by transient dilation of blood vessels near the surface of the body due to your declining estrogen levels.
    Night sweats, the nocturnal version of hot flashes, can occur as often as once an hour and tend to awaken women from sleep, resulting in insomnia, irritability and depression.
  • Decreased libido. During perimenopause, you may reach a point where you’re just not feeling it. This is partially to do with symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, and partially because your ovaries are also producing less progesterone, leaving you high and dry when it comes to interest in your spouse or partner.
    In addition to simple disinterest, you may find that sex has become painful or experience vaginal dryness. This is because of changes in the vagina that can cause the cells lining it to dry out. Blood flow to this organ may also be reduced, which can alter sensation as well.
  • Changes in your cholesterol levels. Surprisingly, perimenopause can even affect your cholesterol levels. Since low estrogen levels can favor an increase in “bad cholesterol,” also known as low density lipoprotein (LDL), and a drop in high-density lipoprotein (HDL), it’s important to have your cholesterol levels checked regularly. These changes could predisposition you to heart disease.

As you approach perimenopause, or if you’re already experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to practice self-care as much as possible. Controlling your weight, exercising at least thirty minutes three times a week and quitting smoking can go a long way to making perimenopause and menopause more comfortable and manageable for you and those people around you. Also, if you can find a way to get more sleep and reduce your stress, those investments will also pay off hugely down the road.

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Estrogen dominance, or unopposed estrogen, is a th Estrogen dominance, or unopposed estrogen, is a theory in which the level of estrogen outweighs the level of progesterone and other hormones in the body. Picture a seesaw. Estrogen is the person high in the air looking down at the progesterone (and other hormones)- sitting at the other end with their feet on the ground.

Our bodies need estrogen for reproductive, cardiovascular, and bone health. Estrogen is a very important hormone! Too much estrogen, however, can be linked to an assortment of conditions like: 
- Heavy periods
- Migraines
- Water retention 
- Fibrocystic breasts
- Uterine fibroids 
- Endometriosis
- Mood swings 
- Hormonal weight gain

High estrogen can be caused by certain medications, excess body fat, stress, alcohol, liver issues, and synthetic xenoestrogens, so some dietary and lifestyle changes may be needed to correct your hormone levels. And, what about supporting the other hormones? Picture the seesaw again. We can support healthy progesterone production with dietary and lifestyle changes as well!

Was this helpful? If so – like, follow, and don’t forget to comment below any questions you have about estrogen dominance!
There are few health conditions as frustrating to There are few health conditions as frustrating to address and correct as acne.

Courses of antibiotics, dozens of topicals, spironolactone, supplements, and the birth control pill are the main treatments most of my patients have tried before they come to me. While some may be effective, you might be still wondering: is there a way to heal my skin once and for all and not have to use this stuff?

Acne is so frustrating for many because it seems like there are a million things you could be trying. So, what are some NATURAL first steps you can take if you are struggling with acne?

1) Get your hormone levels checked. Knowing if you have any hormone imbalances can help your doctor to cater your treatment plan to your specific needs.

2) Address your gut health. Your gut is the foundation of your health and can be closely tied to skin issues.

3) Try going dairy free. I’ve found this is one food group that can be especially problematic for people that suffer with acne. The thing to know is that you have to avoid it for at least 30 days and also that in the future, you can probably have at least some dairy back. It’s usually not a forever restriction.

If you have questions about your struggles with acne, leave a comment below or send me a DM. I’d love to chat about potential solutions and help you get to the bottom of your skin concerns.
It’s time for another Sunday Supplement highligh It’s time for another Sunday Supplement highlight! Today, we’re talking about Magnesium Glycinate.

Magnesium Glycinate is a supplement that increases magnesium levels. Magnesium is vital in regulating muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure. It may also be helpful in the making of bone, protein, and DNA. 

I love magnesium glycinate because it is one of the easiest forms of magnesium supplementation for the body to absorb. It is also gentle on the digestive tract which means it is less likely to cause undesirable side effects such as an upset stomach or loose stool. 

Magnesium glycinate might be especially helpful for you if you suffer from:
- High blood pressure or heart disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Osteoporosis
- Migraine headaches
- Depression

Do you have more questions about magnesium glycinate? Leave a comment below, or shoot me a DM and we can chat!
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