Let's talk about something I don't think women are prepared for nearly enough... PERIMENOPAUSE. A lot of us grow up hearing about menopause, but nobody really explains that the transition can start years before your periods actually stop. Perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause when hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone, begin fluctuating. And yes... you can still have regular or mostly regular periods and be experiencing symptoms. 🌸 WHAT CAN IT FEEL LIKE? Every woman is different, but symptoms can include: 🔥 Hot flashes or night sweats 😴 Trouble sleeping 🧠 Brain fog & difficulty concentrating 😩 Changes in mood or irritability 🩸 Changes in your periods ❤️ Changes in sex drive 💧 Vaginal dryness or discomfort 🤕 Headaches ⚡ Changes in energy 💪 Changes in body composition 🦴 Changes in bone health over time And one of the frustrating parts? Symptoms can change throughout the transition. ⚖️ “WHY DOES MY BODY FEEL DIFFERENT?” This is a BIG one. Midlife changes can affect where we store body fat, and aging is also associated with gradual losses of muscle unless we're actively working to maintain it. That doesn't mean weight gain is inevitable. But it does mean the things we could get away with at 25 may not work exactly the same way at 35, 40 or 45. 😂 This is where some of the basics become REALLY valuable: 🥩 Get adequate protein 💪 Strength train regularly 🚶‍♀️ Stay active 🥗 Eat enough nutritious food 😴 Prioritize sleep as much as real life allows 🦴 Take muscle and bone health seriously ❤️ Don't ignore symptoms that are affecting your quality of life 🩺 YOU DON'T HAVE TO JUST “DEAL WITH IT” If symptoms are bothering you, talk to a healthcare professional. There are different approaches to managing perimenopause symptoms, including lifestyle changes and, for appropriate women, menopausal hormone therapy and other treatments. And because symptoms such as fatigue, mood changes or irregular bleeding can have causes other than perimenopause, it's worth having the conversation rather than assuming hormones explain everything.

Something I misunderstood when I first started researching peptides was assuming that buying from a Canadian or American company meant the peptides were actually manufactured there. The reality is that a large amount of the world's peptide raw materials are manufactured overseas, particularly in China. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with peptides coming from China. China has manufacturers producing extremely high quality products, including facilities operating to very high manufacturing standards. What matters isn't the country. It's the manufacturer, their standards, testing and transparency. A company can be Canadian or American, package and ship its products from Canada or the USA, and still source the actual peptide from China. In fact, that is what 100% of companies are doing in Canada, so if they are telling you it comes from a lab in Canada, ask them where their raw material comes from.