I'm finally spilling the tea on my secret perimenopause weapon—Maca. This supplement has changed my entire perimenopause experience. The fascinating thing about Maca is that it helps to naturally increase hormone levels, alleviating numerous symptoms instead of targeting just one or two.

Changes in our skin are a natural part of aging, and the hormonal changes we go through in our 40s as we enter perimenopause can significantly impact the texture and appearance of our skin. While most women associate skin aging with the natural aging process, the hormonal changes during perimenopause often amplify these effects, sometimes making women feel as though they've aged drastically in a short period. 

Many women don't realize that gut health has a critical role in managing perimenopause symptoms and can provide a potential pathway to relief. The gut is our "second brain" and is a complex system that goes beyond digesting food. It is crucial in hormone regulation, immune function, and mental health.

Joint pain is one of the most common symptoms of menopause, yet this musculoskeletal complaint often goes undiscussed, unlike hot flashes and night sweats. Research shows that between 51-59% of perimenopausal/menopausal women experience joint pain, stiffness, or backache. Decreasing estrogen levels can lead to reduced bone density and affect muscle and tendon strength. Estrogen also helps lubricate joints and reduce inflammation, so its reduction leads to increased joint pain and stiffness.

Diet is one of the best ways to help reduce perimenopause symptoms, and blueberries are a particularly beneficial addition. Who knew? These small, vibrant berries are powerhouses packed with nutrients that offer numerous health benefits, especially for perimenopausal women. They are a great boost for cognitive function and offer incredible antioxidant protection.

When it comes to supplements, magnesium doesn't get the attention it deserves. It's overshadowed by more popular nutrients like multivitamins, vitamin D, omega-3s, and calcium. Yet magnesium is a superhero supplement and has an incredible impact on managing perimenopause symptoms.

When the topic of testosterone arises, there's a common misconception that it's a topic for men only. However, that couldn't be further from the truth. Testosterone holds significant importance for women as well, yet it often remains overshadowed in discussions revolving around women's hormones.

Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands in response to stress. It is instrumental in our fight-or-flight response and helps us cope with stressful situations. Cortisol is crucial to our body's stress response system but when hormone levels change daily during perimenopause, maintaining optimal cortisol levels can seem nearly impossible.

Estrogen is essential for eye health, so it's no surprise that we see various eye conditions and vision changes as it declines during perimenopause. Estrogen influences the production and quality of tears, the thickness of the cornea, and the health of the retina.

Food sensitivities are not exclusive to perimenopause, but many women find that they become more pronounced or develop new sensitivities during this stage of life. Suddenly, foods that were once dietary staples become problematic.

Hormonal fluctuations trigger a myriad of perimenopause symptoms that can disrupt daily life - from hot flashes and weight gain to insomnia, anxiety, and mood swings, etc. Emerging research suggests that inflammation could play a role in intensifying these symptoms.

The following dehydration signs are also many of the common symptoms of perimenopause that women suffer from.