Visit SiteHi! I am Pam Andrews, 52 years old, a perimenopause survivor. I had been in perimenopause for about 8 to 11 years (depending on when you start counting) before I officially “graduated” from it. During that time, I was able to carry on raising my 2 kids, keep my job as a magazine writer, and enjoy scuba diving. But it wasn’t always that easy for me.

Before I learned I was in perimenopause, I suffered the worst symptoms in silence – severe PMS, erratic menstrual cycles, embarrassing hot flashes, frequent headaches, a sour mood and even depression. Being a proud woman, I didn’t want other people to know about my symptoms. Some would say I was in denial – blaming everything on stress and being too busy. I didn’t want to get help, I guess because secretly, I was afraid that my symptoms could be pointing to something more serious.

When finally a day came when I couldn’t even get out of bed because I was PMS-ing and bleeding so heavily. I got scared thinking I could be bleeding to death. I did something that I avoided till I have absolutely no other choice – I went to see a doctor.

I ended up going to several doctors after one would refer me to another one given my wide range of symptoms. I went to an OB for my menses, a neurologist for my headaches, a psychologist for my depression. Each one ordered a battery of tests and prescribed a set of treatments for me. It was my OB who identified my condition as perimenopause, and he assured me that it’s a natural phase every woman goes through.

Well, perimenopause may be a natural stage in a woman’s life – but I’m sure you’ll agree, nothing about it feels natural at all! Read more…