Still Me, Just Shifting

Night sweats at 3 a.m. Periods that arrive early, late, or like a flood. Irritability you don’t recognize, a memory that keeps dropping words, and a doctor who says your labs look 'normal.' If you are in your late thirties or forties and something has shifted, you are not imagining it, and you are far from alone.Still Me, Just Shifting is a clear, evidence-based guide to perimenopause, the years of hormonal change before periods stop for good. Drawing on major long-term research and current guidance from leading medical organizations, it explains what is happening in your body and what actually helps, without fear, hype, or miracle cures.Inside, you will learn:• Why estrogen and progesterone swing like a rollercoaster, and why a single blood test so often misses perimenopause• How to track your symptoms and walk into an appointment with a one-page summary that gets you taken seriously• What the evidence says about hot flashes, including cognitive behavioral therapy, clinical hypnosis, and newer nonhormonal medicines• A practical 14-day plan to rebuild sleep using the core principles of CBT for insomnia• Why perimenopause is a window of vulnerability for anxiety and depression, and when to seek help• The truth about brain fog, heavy bleeding, iron, and why you may still need contraception• How to protect muscle, bones, and heart health with food and strength training• A balanced, up-to-date look at hormone therapy, including recent FDA label changes, plus nonhormonal options and vaginal treatments• Scripts for conversations at work, with partners, and with family, including a section written for partnersEach chapter ends with key takeaways and practical tools you can use right away. Whether you are just noticing the first changes or are deep in the transition, this book helps you understand your options, ask better questions, and build a personal plan that fits your life.This book is for educational purposes and does not replace individualized medical care.