Throughout my 20s, I wore four-inch heels to work — and then trained for marathons at night.
I remember hobbling into the office one day, and a colleague insisting on taking a photo of my ankle brace and heels combo for our corporate Instagram feed. (Different era, very different priorities.)
What if you could do puberty all over again… but this time with a cheat sheet? That’s basically perimenopause. (Or, as the Internet is calling it, “Cougar Puberty.” Pass.)
How to know if you’re “in” it: The only way to know for sure is in hindsight: Once you’ve gone a full year without a period, you’ve officially reached menopause. Helpful, right?
But, you could try this: Hormone panels can help you get a better idea of what’s going on –– including your follicle-stimulating hormone (which measures ovarian reserve), estradiol, progesterone, and luteinizing hormone. At-home kits exist, but there are serious drawbacks. Better to go to your doctor.
How to treat symptoms: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), antidepressants, and talk therapy can make a huge difference. Here's a full list of options to take into your next appointment.
What’s new: You’ve heard of the physical symptoms (hot flashes, weight gain, irregular periods). But research is adding to what we know about perimenopause and mental health. Like, sex might actually be… better? Also, women are at a greater risk of developing an eating disorder during perimenopause. And, massive swings in estrogen and progesterone are the likely cause behind ”perimenopause rage.”
Men go through it, too –– sort of: They experience hormonal dips in midlife, called “andropause.” If women have to live with “Cougar Puberty,” at least men get this belittling nickname, too.
For Your Sanity:
Track your cycle + moods. Data helps you ID patterns, but using cycle tracking apps can put your privacy at risk. If journaling isn’t for you, try this security expert’s advice on how to digitally monitor your symptoms –– without exposing intimate health info.
Line up your team. Your PCP and OB-GYN may not be the right fit for this next phase of your health. Skimm+ has a handy script that will help you make that call. (Get one month, on us, here.)
It’s always fashion week somewhere. And with it comes a buffet of new beauty trends that we’ve classified according to our highly-scientific spectrum of good and (mostly) evil.
From budget-friendly to big-family-friendly, here are the best filters for keeping microplastics, lead, and other contaminants out of your water glass…
These dissolvable tablets from Zicam are one of our editor's favorite things to keep on hand for cold and flu season. As soon as you feel a tickle in your throat, take one. They can shorten your cold and are great for travel, too.
These stackable, dishwasher-safe deli containers from OXO are perfect for smoothies, dressings, meal prep, and compact leftover storage.
Psst…love our recs? Follow @skimmshopping on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag).
Clear Your Clutter
You’ve heard outer order, inner calm, but life keeps shoving “cleaning and organizing” to the bottom of your to-do list.
This course, Clearing Physical and Emotional Clutter, taught by Stephanie Bennett Vogt, is about finally simplifying your space for good. Instead of cramming everything into a Hefty and hoping for the best, you’ll learn to pause, notice what’s holding you back, and clear clutter at a pace that actually sticks.
It’s pay-what-you-wish and self-paced. By the end, you’ll feel lighter — and yes, like you finally have room to breathe.
