If you’ve recently Googled “Why are my ears itchy?” at 3:00 AM while suffering from a night sweat, welcome to the club. You’re likely in perimenopause, the chaotic "puberty in reverse" that can start as early as your late 30s.
From the widely discussed hot flashes to the bizarre “I didn't know that was related” symptoms like frozen shoulder and perimenopause acne, we are breaking down the science, the trends (hello, Natalie Bushaw’s fitness journey!), and the treatments that actually work.
The "Weird" Symptoms Nobody Warned You About
We all know about irregular periods, but perimenopause is a shapeshifter. Here are the symptoms trending on Reddit that deserve more attention:
- Frozen Shoulder & Joint Pain: Estrogen acts as a lubricant for your joints. When it dips, you might experience perimenopause frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) or nagging hip and back pain.
- Itchy Ears & Skin: A drop in estrogen leads to lower collagen and moisture. This can result in perimenopause itchy ears or a general "crawling" sensation on the skin.
- The "Heart Skip": Heart palpitations in perimenopause are incredibly common but terrifying. Usually, they are just your nervous system reacting to hormonal spikes.
- The Acne Comeback: Yes, perimenopause acne is real. It’s a hormonal imbalance often caused by androgens remaining steady while estrogen drops.
HRT vs. The Pill: Which One Wins?
When you visit a perimenopause doctor (if you're in the Bay Area, searching for a perimenopause doctor in Oakland is a top trend), you’ll likely face a choice: HRT for perimenopause or birth control pills.
Inspiration: The Natalie Bushaw Journey
If you’re feeling sluggish, look up the Natalie Bushaw perimenopause fitness journey. Natalie has become a beacon for women reclaiming their strength during this transition. Her approach proves that while your body is changing, it isn't "breaking." Lifting weights and focusing on protein can help manage the weight gain and mood swings that come with the perimenopausal territory.
How Do You Know For Sure?
Still wondering, "How do you know if you're in perimenopause?" A perimenopause blood test can check your FSH levels, but remember: hormones fluctuate daily. Often, a perimenopause symptom checker or a conversation with a specialist about your night sweats and anxiety is more accurate than a single lab result.
