Health Update: The struggle and the support – NBC Chicago – What Experts Say

Perimenopause affects women very differently, but one message is consistent: The struggle is real.

“Brain fog, I wasn’t sleeping well. I started to gain weight,” said Treshell Wilkins Goodlow, who is experiencing perimenopause.

“I had anxiety for the first time in my life,” said Jane Mawicke, who’s now navigating post-menopause.

Many women are looking for answers, and the opportunity to open up in a safe space about a midlife transition they have in common.

Lauren Ratliff started Matrescense therapy in 2021, initially for women in pregnancy and postpartum. Over the last year, a new need has emerged. The largest growth within her practice? The menopause transition.

“We continue to hear this from women who are calling, ‘I’ve been looking for a very long time to find this really targeted support, but it just doesn’t seem to be out there,'” said Ratliff. “It’s just these really big transitions paired with all of these big hormonal shifts, and it almost feels like the perfect storm sometimes for mental health.”

In the last year, Matrescense has hired five therapists who specialize in perimenopause and menopause to meet growing demand, including Dr. Angele Close.

“Oftentimes they’ll come in more, ‘I’m feeling more anxious or I’m feeling more moody, more irritable,’” said Close. “So, they reach out for a therapist, and I think sometimes it is that fear of judgment.”

As many as four in 10 people in perimenopause experience irritability, low energy, sadness or difficulty concentrating, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

“And so that shame or self-blame keeps us isolated,” said Close.

Changes in estrogen levels are likely responsible for significant mood swings that can be disruptive. Changes in sexuality, exercise and eating habits, and stressful life circumstances can also affect mood.

“A lot of women are caring for their parents. They’re caring for teens or, you know young adults and they’re depleted,” said Close. “And they just have to start really recognizing, ‘I have to matter too. I can no longer be at the bottom of my list.’ And so, it’s almost like exploration of what matters most.”

In addition to therapy, some women also seek relief through supplements and acupuncture.

“Acupuncture is amazing at regulating the nervous system, and so it’s very helpful for things like anxiety, insomnia, regulating hormones,” said Ashley Flores, the owner of Four Flowers Wellness.

“A lot of women will find that even with Western treatment they’re maybe not feeling as good as they would like or they found that they had side effects with their Western treatment, and so they want something to use instead of those hormonal treatments. And acupuncture, especially in combination with herbal medicine, can be incredibly effective,” said Flores, a Chinese medicine provider specializing in women’s health and fertility.

Delana Martello was looking for relief from her perimenopause symptoms when fatigue and mood swings started affecting her job and relationship with her family.

“I did not like my old self. I knew something was different,” said Martello, a wife and mother of two who works full time.

She receives acupuncture twice a month and pairs the treatment with Ashwagandha root for her anxiety. She also sees an OBGYN.

“Instead of starting on hormone replacement therapy right away, just to see how it goes and then also just keeping up with lifestyle changes,” said Martello.

Functional medicine aims to identify the root cause of disease rather than just treating symptoms.  

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women, and it doesn’t happen overnight. It takes decades of exposure to chronic, often silent cardiovascular risk factors. Kate Chappell reports.

Dozens of over-the-counter supplements are now being advertised to menopausal women as part of a $17 billion global market that’s expected to grow more than 5% each year until at least 2030, according to Harvard medical school.

Other common supplements used in perimenopause are magnesium for sleep, black cohosh for hot flashes, and maca root for energy and mood.

“My husband’s seen a difference, my kids too,” said Martello.

Supplements do not require FDA approval and many have not undergone rigorous testing, meaning there’s no guarantee they work or are safe.

Flores said women should always work with a trained professional.

“I’m extremely careful about where I’m sourcing them,” she said. “I am always telling people to be careful when they’re ordering online because there have been so many issues with contamination or improperly marked supplements and herbs.

Functional medicine has made a world of difference for Martello at home. She’s sharing her story to inspire other women to normalize talking about the menopause transition and solutions.

“A lot of women, it’s hard for us to go there and seek help because you’re like, ‘I have so many things to do.’ And we’re the last person to take care of ourselves,” she said.

When sourcing supplements, Harvard medical experts have this advice:

• check the label for “USP” or “NSF,” which indicates the supplement has been tested by a third-party organization.
• Avoid blended products, and choose a supplement containing only that herb, not as part of a “menopause support” mix.
• Watch for side effects. Any unusual symptoms could be signs of a problem.