I really thought I'd be able to manage my symptoms with exercise, diet tweaks, and supplements. And I did until this year. But over the course of 2 months my health tanked. The cascading health issues still haven't stopped. As soon as I get something addressed, a new thing pops up. I had hoped to be holistic but my body needs estrogen. Nothing else has been a substitute. My acupuncturist eventually told me: if you need to seek out western medicine, I don't blame you.

I knew that was her way of acknowledging what I was experiencing was too much.

For me, it's about asking what my body needs each day; rather than getting discouraged. Granted, my face is in a lot of pain as I type. I sure wish I could get rid of the nerve pain! (I've got new doctors lined up for next month to see if something more serious is wrong with me.)

Maybe your perimenopause experience will be more manageable when you get there. I sure hope so! There are resources out there, though, if you need more support!