35 Comments
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joan Turkell's avatar

Love how you were able to accurately describe perimenopause!

Though I’m in my later 70’s, I now experience all over again what you’re describing!!

Is there another stage that develops later in life??

Nancy Solak's avatar

Same. I'm 78 and it seems I'm always a hair away from rage. Other than technological snafus, I really have a very nice life. -- A confused oldster

Anne Campion (she/her)'s avatar

At 65 I feel as if menopause/postmenopause carries this too. Was never invited to even consider the impacts of perimenopause or menopause (just something we had to endure). Now feeling/sensing so much was missed along the way.

Thank you for articulating with such clarity the complete life upheaval.

Deborah's avatar

At 76, I totally agree and was wondering the same!

Blair Glaser's avatar

I didn’t think I had the stomach for another perimenopause article, but I couldn’t put this one down. Such an engaging account of that dark night of the transition….Glad you’re okay and wishing you the light and unparalleled freedom that awaits on the other side.

Staci Greason's avatar

I feel your struggles in my core. In my 40s, I was either sobbing or screaming or in unbearable agony. At 61, I look back and wonder how I did my daily life. Women are a wonder.

sallie reynolds's avatar

This story is so well-told, I read it as if it were a murder mystery. Which, come to think of it, it is!

Jean Ellen's avatar

When I was 40, I had only two emotions: despair and RAGE.

Christine Ahh's avatar

Can we add overwhelm?

Oops now I’m enraged because my partner says that’s not an emotion

sallie reynolds's avatar

Call it drowning, and it becomes an emotion m=no one can deny.

Denise's avatar

Truth!

Ellen Kornmehl MD's avatar

When you've been in good health, it's painful to the core when the car starts careening out of control. You've penned the agony of it deeply. Glad your instinct is to keep your hands steady on the wheel and get through it!

Debi Lewis's avatar

I wish this was not so utterly relatable. Dear lord, it's a wonder we all survive it.

Clare Morin's avatar

I adored reading this. You nail it all 🙏🌸👏

Bratcat's avatar

Oh, how they hid perimenopause from us...so glad it's out in the open now. I can identify with these feelings; some days I feel I'm out of the weeds, and others I fall back into the quicksand. Rage on.

catita silva's avatar

chewing noises are the ultimate trigger for my max perimenopause irritation.

Laura Calaway's avatar

If only I'd known what I was experiencing, there's a small chance (very, very small, microscopic really) that I might not now be divorced.

Christine Ahh's avatar

Vivid and scary truth! My soul says, “Naturally you’ve got a rage monster living somewhere in your chest. She’s been suppressed for the past 5000 years.”

Susan Pfeil's avatar

Love this article so much. Wish I had seen it 30 years ago when I was in perimenopause w/o a clue! 👵🏻❤️

Kathie Mell's avatar

I’m 74. I’ve had the hot sweats since my mid 50s

I sweat at night, in the day, winter or summer the sweat glands on my head and neck just start leaking out and run down my face.. into my ears, my eyes, my hair. I have to carry a dish cloth everywhere I go. One in my car, one in my husband’s car, one in the living room, , the kitchen, the bedroom lalalala; you get the picture?😰😓😳

Jean Sward's avatar

Fabulous, horrific description of a fraught journey so many women are swept away on.

book inc's avatar

This is extremely powerful - thank you so much for sharing!