Singer LeAnn Rimes, Who Is Managing Psoriasis & Experiencing Perimenopause, Celebrates 15 Years Married With Her Beloved Husband: ‘Your Love Is Such a Gift’

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It’s unclear what Rimes is referring to when she’s recalling “all that’s taken place this year,” but we do know she’s been living with psoriasis, an autoimmune disease that occurs when the immune system overreacts and mistakenly attacks its own skin cells. It’s classified as a chronic inflammatory disease that drives inflammation throughout the body, causing rapid skin cell growth, which in turn leads to plaque and scale formation.

She’s also been dealing with perimenopause, something she noted in her anniversary post.

Menopause, which the National Institute on Aging describes as a normal part of aging, typically begins in women between the ages of 45 and 55. Symptoms of menopause include body changes, hot flashes, and aches and pains. Perimenopause, is the transitional time frame surrounding menopause. A time when a woman’s body releases eggs less regularly, makes less estrogen, becomes less fertile, and has shorter and more irregular menstrual cycles, as per Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Meanwhile, to further commemorate their milestone anniversary, Rimes shared another post on Instagram, showcasing beach photos from their anniversary getaway in Cabo.

She recapped their trip saying, “We got to step away for 3 days amidst work and some very tense, heart wrenching things happening at home with family. It’s been a different anniversary, one filled with tears and worry, but in between, there were moments of laughter and deep gratitude for this love of ours.

“Day by day, we walk hand in hand through the rollercoaster of life… and God, I’m so grateful that it’s with each other. We’ve been through so much in our 15 years as husband and wife.”

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Rimes, who met her husband on a Lifetime movie set in 2008, added, “We know how to ride the waves, hold each other in times of need, mend what needs mending.

“I’m so proud of what we have created together. 15 years is just the beginning.”

She adding the hashtag “#Cabo” at the end, confirming where they went on vacation in Mexico.

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Understanding Perimenopause

According to the North American Menopause Society (NAMS), “the gradual transition between the reproductive years and menopause (the cessation of menstrual periods) is called perimenopause (literally meaning around menopause).”

“It is generally a transition that is many years long and can be associated with shorter menstrual intervals, irregular menses, night sweats, and other symptoms. In some women, these symptoms are troublesome enough to need medical intervention.”

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Meanwhile, when menopause (whether natural or induced) occurs when a woman is 40 years old or younger, it’s dubbed as premature menopause.

“This occurs in about 1% of women in the United States,” the NAMS explains. “Premature menopause that is not induced can be genetic, metabolic, autoimmune, or the result of other poorly understood conditions. Premature menopause should be evaluated thoroughly.”

WATCH: Finding a Doctor Who Can Handle Your Personal Concerns

The Difference Between Menopause and Early Menopause

Menopause is described by the National Institute on Aging, as “a point in time 12 months after a woman’s last period.” Additionally, “The years leading up to that point, when women may have changes in their monthly cycles, hot flashes, or other symptoms, are called the menopausal transition or perimenopause.”

The average age women go through the menopausal transition, which usually lasts approximately seven to 14 years, ranges between ages 45 and 55.

RELATED: Trying to Offset Menopause? ‘Many Women Are Unaware of the Heightened Cancer Risks Of Hormone Replacement Therapy With Estrogen

“The duration can depend on lifestyle factors such as smoking, age it begins, and race and ethnicity,” the institute explains. “The menopausal transition affects each woman uniquely and in various ways. The body begins to use energy differently, fat cells change, and women may gain weight more easily. You may experience changes in your bone or heart health, your body shape and composition, or your physical function.”

As for early menopause, the National Cancer Institute says it’s a condition which causes the ovaries to stop working and menstrual periods to stop before a woman turns 40. It’s a transition that can lead to fertility issues and symptoms of menopause.

Additionally, early menopause is split up into two types, primary and secondary. According to the National Cancer Institute, “There are two types of early menopause, primary and secondary. Primary early menopause means that the ovaries do not function normally. This may be because they have been removed by surgery, or it may be caused by some cancer treatments and certain diseases or genetic conditions.

“In secondary early menopause, the ovaries are normal but there is a problem getting hormone signals to them from the brain. This is usually caused by diseases of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus. Some women with early menopause sometimes have menstrual periods and may be able to have children. Also called ovarian failure, ovarian insufficiency, and premature menopause.”

Managing Menopause Symptoms

Although menopause is a natural occurrence, there are some things women can do to minimize the impact of menopausal symptoms.

We must first outline some well-known menopause symptoms, which include:

• Menstruation changes
• Hot Flashes
• Bladder control issues
• Difficulty sleeping
• Vaginal health and sexuality changes
• Mood changes
• Body changes
• Aches and pains

The Office on Women’s Health suggests options for dealing with these symptoms.

To help with hot flashes, women may consider hormonal medication or, cooling off with a cold beverage or seeking air-conditioned air. To help with vaginal complications, moisturizers, and lubricants can offer relief. When having difficulty sleeping, consider exercising, avoid eating or drinking immediately before bed, and practice good sleeping habits such as darkening the bedroom and keeping it cool and quiet. To help with mood changes, consider getting enough sleep, minimizing stress, and seeking a support group or a therapist.

“There are certain instances where physicians can prescribe medications that may improve the vaginal dryness, or some other things that may be able to be prescribed, but it very specifically depends on what type of ovarian cancer a patient had, what their outcome was, and their risk of recurrence in the future,” Dr. Daynelle Dedmond, a board-certified gynecologic oncologist with Centura Health in Colorado Springs, explains.

“Most of the time, we suggest lubricants for dryness and to help with elasticity of the vagina for more comfort during intercourse. We also want patients to be very deliberate and careful and have good communication with their partner, including about allowing plenty of time to be able to relax,” Dr. Dedmond continued.

Advocating for Yourself While Navigating the Medical World

LeAnn Rimes’ Journey to Managing Her Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, meaning the body’s immune system becomes overactive and attacks normal tissues. It causes red, itchy patches to develop on the skin. The most commonly affected areas are the lower back, elbows, knees, legs, soles of feet, scalp, face, and palms.

Symptoms of psoriasis can be managed through various treatments.

Rimes was diagnosed with psoriasis at 2 years old and, when she turned 6 years old, about 80% of her body was covered in “painful red spots,” according to an article she wrote for Glamour Magazine.

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Dr. Saakshi Khattri, a dermatologist/rheumatologist at Mount Sinai Health System, tells SurvivorNet. “It is a chronic condition, which can ebb and flow. You can have good days and bad days.”

WATCH: There is good news for people out there suffering from plaque psoriasis.

Dr. Saakshi notes that while anyone can develop psoriasis, the disease is more common in people between the ages of 30 and 50. Researchers believe genetics, as well as environmental factors, may play a role in the development of psoriasis.

Rimes’ psoriasis journey includes the singer trying several different treatment options to clear up her psoriasis, including steroid creams.

Steroid creams or topicals are a common option to treat psoriasis. Topicals are often recommended for newly diagnosed psoriasis patients. These work by applying the cream on your affected skin to reduce inflammation. The creams used can also be non-steroidal. Dr. George Han, a dermatologist at Northwell Health/Lenox Hill Hospital, adds that topical treatments are often a convenient option for patients.

“The majority of patients with psoriasis overall are managed with topicals only,” Dr. Han explains. “And I would say part of this is from convenience, and you could argue certainly patients with milder forms of psoriasis, it’s justifiable to just treat topically.”

Rimes also focused on her diet to reduce flare-ups. Healthline previously reported she “eliminated gluten and all fried food from her diet.”

Meanwhile, SurvivorNet experts say certain foods and drinks can trigger autoimmune conditions and cause inflammation.

Some examples of foods that cause inflammation include white bread and pastries, fried foods like French fries, sodas and other sugary drinks, red meat, processed meats, and margarine, according to Harvard Health Publishing.

These types of foods can cause insulin (a hormone that controls our blood sugar) to spike in our bodies, which can contribute to inflammation. Conversely, examples of anti-inflammatory foods include fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and fish.

Rimes also tried an “injection regimen” to manage her symptoms, although she has not said what type of injections she uses. She resorted to some vitamin D from the sun to help manage her symptoms.

“Saltwater and sunshine, mother nature’s gifts to us, truly, truly help me. I’ve been in a place before many times and gone on vacation and come back and been completely clear,” she said to Prevention, a health news resource.

While saltwater can help with easing skin conditions, according to SurvivorNet experts, for some, the sun will exacerbate symptoms. However, phototherapy, or light therapy, is a treatment option for psoriasis. It’s generally used when topical medications are not working. Phototherapy exposes the skin to ultraviolet light to slow down the excess growth of skin cells.

“I use raw coconut oil, which I love. I also love a little bit of any kind of carrier oil with a bit of essential oil in it,” Rimes said to help keep her skin moisturized.

Moisturizers can be very effective in treating dryness caused by the disease and promoting healing of the skin. SurvivorNet experts say the best moisturizer to buy will have the following characteristics:

• Heavy textures like oils, ointments, or creams
• Doesn’t include any fragrance to avoid irritation

Psoriasis is Chronic, But Can Be Managed

According to the National Institute of Health, “Many people with psoriasis have a family history of the disorder. Researchers have identified certain genes linked to the disease, but still don’t fully understand the disease process. They do know that it isn’t contagious.”

WATCH: Understanding the various types of psoriasis.

Common symptoms often include:

• Red patches of skin covered with silvery scales
• Small scaling spots
• Dry, cracked skin that may bleed or itch
• Itching, burning sensation, or soreness
• Thickened or ridged nails
• Swollen or stiff joints

Topical medicines like skin creams are considered mainstays in treating psoriasis symptoms. The topical you take depends on the kind of psoriasis you’re dealing with and its related symptoms.

The seven different types of psoriasis include:

• Plaque psoriasis: The most common form of the disease causes dry, raised skin patches that may be covered in scales. The patches may be itchy and tender.
• Nail psoriasis: This disease can affect fingernails and toenails and might cause nails to loosen from the nail bed.
• Guttate psoriasis: This disease typically affects young adults and children and is often caused by a bacterial infection like strep throat.
• Inverse psoriasis: This type of psoriasis mainly affects skin folds, so it will often present in areas such as the groin, buttocks, or breasts, and can worsen with friction or sweating.
• Pustular psoriasis: This rare form of psoriasis causes pus-filled blisters to develop in widespread patches across the body.
• Erythrodermic psoriasis: This is another rare form of the disease. It can involve the entire body and cause a red, peeling rash that may itch or burn intensely.
• Psoriatic arthritis: With this form of the disease, joints may become swollen and painful. Sometimes, joint pain is the first or only symptom, while other symptoms, like nail changes, occur.

How is Psoriasis Treated?

Sometimes, psoriasis is treated with oral drugs, which may include:

• Methotrexate: This medication was approved for psoriasis in 1972 and can be administered orally or intravenously. It works as an immunosuppressant that inhibits rapidly dividing cells. According to the American Academy of Dermatology and National Psoriasis Foundation guidelines, methotrexate is typically administered in doses ranging from 7.5 mg to 25 mg weekly as one dose or divided into three dosages over 24 hours. Common side effects include fatigue and nausea.
• Apremilast (Otezla): This medication suppresses an enzyme inside inflammation cells. The most common side effects are diarrhea, nausea, upper respiratory tract infection, and headache.
• Cyclosporine: This drug isn’t used for long-term psoriasis treatment due to potentially serious adverse effects. However, it does have a role “as a rapid-acting medication for severe, recalcitrant disease, acute flares, and erythroderma.” Nephrotoxicity (kidney issues) and hypertension (high blood pressure) are cyclosporine’s most common adverse side effects.

Other systemic treatment options for psoriasis include Biologic drugs, which are given by injection or intravenous (IV) infusion (a slow drip of medicine into your vein).

These drugs target only specific parts of the immune system, while other systemic drugs target the whole system.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

If you are living with psoriasis, you may have additional questions for your care team. Here are a few to help begin that conversation.

• What type of psoriasis do I have, and how severe is it?
• Which treatment options are best for my symptoms and lifestyle?
• What triggers should I watch out for, and how can I prevent flare-ups?
• How might psoriasis affect my overall health or be linked to other conditions?
• What kind of daily skin care routine should I follow to reduce discomfort and protect my skin?

Supporting a Loved One During and After Cancer

During and after cancer, or any type of health struggle, in between happier moments, many may still feel depressed, anxious, worried, overwhelmed, and sometimes full of grief. Support your loved one as best you can by being a loving, listening ear and lending support.

Dr. Scott Irwin, director of supportive care service at Cedars-Sinai, explains in an earlier interview the grief that may accompany a cancer diagnosis. “Grief comes in waves,” he says. “It often gets better over time, but at certain days, it can look like depression. And other days, people look perfectly normal and can function.”

‘Grief Comes In Waves’ After a Diagnosis

“They’re grieving the change in their life, the future they had imagined is now different,” says Dr. Irwin, of how a person may feel after getting a cancer diagnosis.

“In cancer care, sometimes, we’re actually forcing some body changes that are beyond what would be normal aging, and that can be even harder for people to deal with where they don’t feel like themselves.”

WATCH: How to cope with complex and changing emotions.

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

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