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Navigating Surgery, Perimenopause & Wellness: My Personal Journey

 


If you’ve been in the clinic recently, you may know I’ve been on a bit of a health journey myself. This year brought a major chapter in my wellness story, a surgery and a deeper dive into understanding perimenopause and what it means for my long-term health.

If you aren't sure what I'm talking about, I'll quickly fill you in. I recently took time off of work to undergo and recover from a hysterectomy. My care team and surgery team were amazing! They were knowledgeable, comforting and supportive. 

As someone who spends every day helping others on their path to better health, it felt important to be open about this part of my life too. You never know who could need to hear this! Sometimes we forget that healing, growth, and change are lifelong journeys, even for those of us who work in healthcare.

Why I Chose to Share This

Women’s health, especially midlife health, doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. There’s a lot of confusion, stigma, and “push through it” messaging out there, but the truth is:

Your symptoms are real.
Your comfort matters.
And your health deserves proactive care.

My surgery was a necessary step for my body and my future quality of life. Like many women, I’d minimized symptoms for a long time, thinking I just needed to “tough it out” or gaslighting myself about the severity of my symptoms. I had grown uterine fibroids, which can be a common condition for women of my age. 

Choosing to prioritize myself wasn't easy, but it was worth it! I can honestly tell you how much better I feel after my surgery. I had no idea how much it was impacting my energy, anxiety, mood, weight and who knows what else!

Perimenopause: More Than “Just Hormones”

Perimenopause can feel like a mystery even when you're living it.
Fatigue. Mood changes. Sleep struggles. Weight shifts. Brain fog. Pain.


It’s a season many women quietly navigate, but we shouldn't have to.

Learning to listen to my body, support my hormones, and understand what was actually happening physiologically has been a game-changer. This experience has strengthened my dedication to holistic care: body, mind, lifestyle, and emotional health all matter. I'll cover some of those topics in later blog posts so be sure to check back!

A Book That Helped: The New Menopause by Dr. Mary Claire Haver

One resource that truly opened my eyes is The New Menopause by Dr. Mary Claire Haver.

This book breaks down:

  • What’s happening in the body during perimenopause & menopause

  • The role of inflammation, muscle health, and metabolism

  • Lifestyle supports like nutrition, movement, and stress management

  • Evidence-based medical options,not myths or fear-based advice

  • Why advocating for your health is essential

It’s empowering, science-based, and written in a way that makes women feel seen and supported, not dismissed.


I highly recommend it for anyone entering or navigating this phase of life. CLICK HERE for the book. For a quick introduction to Dr Mary Clair Haver check out her INSTAGRAM HERE.

More Doctors Are Getting It

We are so fortunate to have such amazing women's health care providers locally! I frequently see women online express disappointment and feeling like they aren't taken seriously. I was given so much support and education from my care team during this process. It was my NP, Krista Ysker, who reccomended reading The New Menopause in the first place! Dr Emily Hill made sure my surgery went well and that all of my post surgery needs were met.  She's been proactive about helping me through the perimenopause journey. She listens and she gets it (so does Krista!).

Healing, Movement & Support

Recovery has reinforced what we tell patients every day:

  • Movement is medicine: but it must meet the moment

  • Rest is not weakness: it’s part of healing

  • Your body thrives when you listen to it

  • Support systems matter: physical, emotional, and educational.

Chiropractic care plays a meaningful role in women's health, from supporting joint and muscle function to improving sleep and increasing overall comfort during hormonal transitions. Healing isn’t one-size-fits-all and neither is wellness.

A Message to Every Woman Reading This

Your health is not an inconvenience.
Your symptoms are not “just part of being a woman.”
You deserve answers, support, and care that respects your body.

Whether you're in perimenopause, menopause, or supporting someone who is, you're not alone. And prioritizing yourself isn’t selfish, it's life-giving.

We’re here for you, and I’m right here walking this journey with you.




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