LOUISIANA (KTAL/KMSS) — A Louisiana couple, Crystal Burke, FNP-C, and Dr. Steven Youngblood, MD, recently released a book about the journey of perimenopause called The Hot Mess Handbook: Navigating Perimenopause.

Perimenopause happens right before the stages of menopause, starting around the age of 35.

“These are things that happen. And they’re common, and something to talk about. Know that if it’s happening to you, it’s not just you. There is something you can do about it. You can avoid those symptoms and the effect of quality of life it has,” Burke says.

Burke and Youngblood say couples should be more informed about what can occur during the transitional years.

The couple also wants readers to know that perimenopause is natural and symptoms like anxiety, depression, and trouble sleeping can be totally manageable.

“When I couldn’t sleep but two hours a night, it affected him. When I had my moods, it affected him. This is something real. There are things to help, and it’s not just you,” Burke says.

Perimenopause is real, and their book can be the saving grace for a relationship. It is available for purchase on Amazon.