About me
Hey everyone my name is Janine I am 46, I want to share my journey so far about my experience with perimenopause—a transition that many women endure in silence. At 40, I found myself navigating a landscape filled with unexpected challenges that shook my sense of self.
Fatigue became my constant companion, draining my energy and leaving me feeling like a shadow of my former self. Living with chronic fatigue syndrome has complicated matters further. Some days, I feel as if I’m hobbling around like I’m 80, burdened by aching joints that make even the simplest tasks feel monumental. The weight gain that accompanied this shift only deepened my sense of disconnection from the woman I once was. As my skin lost its firmness and began to sag, my self-esteem took a significant hit.
To add another layer to this struggle, I have vitiligo, a condition that has worsened since I entered perimenopause. I’m still striving to understand the connection between these changes, and it’s been a frustrating journey. The loss of estrogen has undeniably impacted my skin, causing it to sag around the jowls, dark circles under the eyes, fine lines on top of my lips!
As a mother, this journey has been even more challenging. My kids would only have to say Mum i’m hungry! or can i have? I would want to escape or take a moment to breathe. The struggle to think clearly and engage fully has been overwhelming at times. The guilt of being so tired, snappy, and having zero patience weighs heavily on my heart.
I tried various hormone replacement therapies, but my body didn’t respond well, particularly to progesterone. After much trial and error, I made the difficult decision to stop all hormone therapy entirely. This left me feeling isolated and lost; I found myself reluctant to leave the house or socialize, and the weight gain only magnified my insecurities.
Yet, amidst this storm, I realized I had the power to shape my own narrative. I refused to let menopause define my identity. I felt a strong calling to not only explore my own healing but also to empower other women experiencing similar struggles. I began searching for natural ways to boost estrogen and restore collagen—anything that could help mitigate the effects of this transition.
That’s when I stumbled upon red light therapy. I did not really expect much from it but i was willing to try anything at this point, I would use it for 10 minutes a day, which was practical for me as i get bored easy and never stick to anything if it’s time consuming, After a week i noticed my skin was more hydrated and after just two weeks my skin had improved way more than i expected then i was completely hooked i thought i am actually onto something here! I noticed a remarkable improvement in my skin after the 2nd week It felt like I was starting to reconnect with the person I had lost along the way. And now i can’t stop! i love it.
In my quest for healing, I also wanted to support my daughter, who has been grappling with acne during her monthly cycle. I went on to purchase her an LED mask, and witnessing her regain her confidence was a huge moment for me. It reignited my passion for helping others find their own paths to self-acceptance and empowerment.
As I continue to explore the potential of red light therapy—not just for skin issues, but also for addressing fatigue and perhaps even aiding my vitiligo—I look forward to sharing my findings with you. I hope to connect with other women who are navigating these changes, creating a community of support and understanding.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. Together, we can confront the challenges of perimenopause, rediscovering our strength and confidence along the way. Stay tuned for more insights and experiences as we walk this path together.
Janine xx