Usama Bajwa
Your labs are normal. You are 'too young.' So why don’t you feel like yourself?Periods that arrive early or not at all. Waking at 3 a.m. with a racing mind. Losing words mid-sentence. Irritation that flares out of nowhere. For many women, these changes begin in the late 30s and 40s, years before menopause, during a transition that is easy to miss and often dismissed: perimenopause.The Hidden Decade is a clear, evidence-based guide to the years leading up to menopause. Drawing on research from sources such as The Menopause Society, the National Institutes of Health, the FDA, and the long-running Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation, it explains what is happening in your body, how to tell it apart from other conditions, and what actually helps.Inside, you will discover:• Why estrogen swings rather than simply declines, and why a single blood test often misses perimenopause• A head-to-toe symptom decoder, from hot flashes and heavy periods to joint pain, palpitations, and dry eyes• Practical strategies for better sleep, steadier mood, and sharper focus, including emerging research on ADHD in midlife• How to protect your muscles, bones, heart, and pelvic health for the decades ahead• A balanced look at hormone therapy, newer nonhormonal medicines, and popular supplements, updated for the FDA labeling changes of 2025 and 2026• Scripts and checklists for getting the care you deserve from clinicians, employers, and the people you live withWritten in plain language for busy women and the partners who support them, this book replaces confusion with understanding and helps you walk into your next appointment prepared.Perimenopause is common, manageable, and temporary. You do not have to guess your way through it.This book is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
