If you’re in your 40s or 50s, there's a good chance you’re already dealing with some—or all—of the wonderful joys of perimenopause. For me, it hit hard. We're talking about days so fatigued that I could barely make it through the afternoon without a nap, skin so itchy I thought I might scratch right through it, night sweats that could drown a small animal, and a brain fog that made me feel like I was walking around in a permanent haze. Not to mention the joint pain and bloating that came out of nowhere, making me feel like I was stuck in a body I didn’t recognize.
Before I ventured into hormone territory, I decided to try some natural elements. (Please note that I am not against hormone replacement therapy, I'm simply not there yet in my perimenopause journey.)
After a long bout of trial and error, I found a few products that actually made a difference and I’m here to share them with you—because if I have to suffer through this, at least I can make it a little easier for you.
1. Red Maca Extract from The Maca Team
Maca root has been making waves in the wellness world for a while now, but I didn’t give it a second thought until I was having raging PMS and shared with a friend about my struggle with epic mood swings. She shared her positive experience with red maca, specifically red maca extract from The Maca Team.
The Maca Team’s Red Maca Extract became my go-to, and here's why:
Boosts Mood & Energy: Red maca is like a little energy shot in a bottle, without the crash. Studies (yes, actual studies) have shown that red maca can boost energy and improve mood, which was exactly what I needed to get through the fog and fatigue. Seriously, I could feel the difference after just a couple of weeks. No more fighting with my pillow by mid-afternoon.
Helps with Depression: Perimenopause can feel like a constant emotional rollercoaster, and I was stuck on the "down" slope for a while. Red maca is one of those rare natural remedies that helps with depression. It doesn’t make you feel "high"—it just smooths out the mood swings. It's like a friend who hands you a hot cup of tea when you’re about to lose it.
Supports Skin Health: Itchy, dry skin is another lovely gift from perimenopause. Red maca has been shown to have skin-protecting benefits, like guarding against sunburn and helping with overall skin health. Not that I’m out there sunbathing, but it’s nice to know that my skin has some backup.
How I use it: I add 2 droppers full into my tea in the morning.
In short: Red maca made me feel more like myself, noticeably curbed my PMS in less than two months, and helped boost my mood.
2. Hormone Harmony from Happy Mammoth
If I could hand you a bottle of this stuff through the screen, I would. Hormone Harmony from Happy Mammoth helped me tackle some of the most frustrating parts of my perimenopause symptoms: achy joints, night sweats, uncharacteristic mood swings, and insomnia.
Full disclosure, I tried several other supplements that had some of these ingredients, but never noticed a significant change in my symptoms.
Here’s why Hormone Harmony made a huge difference for me:
I noticed a big "softening" in my mood swings: Chaste Tree Berry, Ashwagandha, and Rhodiola—these are just a few of the powerhouse ingredients packed into this supplement. They work together to balance estrogen and progesterone levels, which helps reduce those erratic mood swings and, if you're lucky, maybe makes you less likely to bite someone’s head off by 10 AM.
My sleep quality is back and I'm sleeping "deeper": I went from waking up every two hours drenched in sweat to actually staying asleep for a solid 7 hours. That’s a small miracle in my book. If you’re suffering from the dreaded night sweats and insomnia, this will help keep your pillow dry and have you waking rested.
No more food cravings: I love carbs and sweets and all the things. And the moment I turned 42, I noticed a big uptick in food cravings. After about 2 months of taking this supplement, I noticed a big curb in carb cravings.
How I use it: I take three (3) capsules a day within an hour of waking.
In short: It makes me feel more in control of my body and my mood—and that’s not something I’d trade for anything.
3. Lichico Walking Pad Under Desk Treadmill
When I first got this under-desk walking pad, I thought it was a little… extra. I questioned whether or not I really needed to walk while working. However, as a remote employee who is stuck behind her computer all day, I was itching to get my body moving.
I reasoned any movement would help my endorphins and potentially rid me of some lbs. I'm almost 4 months in and walking 5 days a week - clocking at least 5 miles a day. For real.
Here’s why this walking pad deserves a place in your life:
It's helped improve my sleep: Since incorporating daily walks into my routine (and no, it doesn’t take much to get moving), I’ve noticed my sleep improving. I’m no longer tossing and turning, trying to find that "perfect" sleep position. Instead, I’m actually ready to hit the sheets after a nice walk.
I've dropped a pant size: I’m not running marathons here, but I’m definitely noticing a positive shift in my mood—and I’m down a full pant size. While my goal is not weight loss, I was about 30 pounds overweight when I started in November, I knew that losing a little weight would also help my joints.
It's compact and portable: I have a small house, so bringing in clunky gym equipment is not happening. But, this walking pad is small, lightweight, and slides under the bed when I'm not using it.
How I use it: I don't walk while I'm in meetings because I distract myself and I feel like I look silly, unless I can be off-camera and then I do hop on. And any time I have solo work time, I clock in as many steps as I can. On average, I walk at least 15,000 steps, which depending on my speed ranges 5-6 miles.
In short: It's a great walking pad for the money - currently $119 on Amazon. My only complaint is that it turns off after 2 hours of walking - LOL - and that's my cue to take a break and let it cool down.
Perimenopause Isn’t Fun, But These Products Help
Dealing with perimenopause isn’t exactly a walk in the park (unless, of course, you’re using the Lichico Walking Pad). But these products have helped me feel like I’m getting a handle on the situation.
From boosting my mood and energy to helping me sleep through the night without waking up and not falling back asleep until 3 AM, they’ve made a significant difference.
If you're struggling with fatigue, mood swings, itchy skin, or any of the other delightful perimenopause symptoms, give these products a try. You might just find your own little oasis of relief in this whirlwind of hormonal chaos.
SIDE CONVO: If you are looking for hormone support, try Serene Infusion and Wellness Lounge in St. Charles. Led by Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Biochemist, Yewande Banire, Serene Infusion and Wellness Lounge is committed to providing holistic and integrative healthcare to both men and women.
Services Include:
Vitamin Therapy
Joint Injections
Medical Weight Loss
Hormone Therapy
and more
About the Author:
Elizabeth Rago is a mama, wife, writer, and the creator of The Modern Domestic Woman.
Starting with silly beginnings writing about home decor and DIY projects, Elizabeth found MDW to be a happy distraction from her stressful life as a mom of three.
After a series of unfortunate events including job loss, a car accident, bankruptcy, and a physical and emotional breakdown, Elizabeth felt compelled to shift the primary focus of MDW from pretty pictures and goofy memes to a space of honest support for the everyday woman.
Learn more about Elizabeth at MDWcares.com
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