Perimenopause & Menopause
Did you know know?
During Perimenopause & Menopause:
- Oestrogen the hormone which helps metabolize Cortisol (stress hormone) decreases
- Your Cortisol levels reach the highest they will be in your lifetime, if there is no history of trauma
- Stress upsets our hormones and inflammation, which has direct consequences on our menstrual cycle, our aches, pains and emotions
- The nervous system’s survival function can become stuck, leaving you in a constant state of “Fight, Flight or Freeze”
- This “stress response” means that you are more likely to suffer with the below symptoms:
- Premenstrual Tension
- Insomnia, Weight Gain & Fatigue
- Erratic mood swings: Anger, Anxiety, Sadness & Imposter Syndrome
- Pain & Inflammation
- Restless Leg Syndrome
- And much more ..
- There are 13 million Perimenopausal & Menopausal women in the UK
- 1 in 4 women have considered leaving their job because of the Menopause
- The NHS website assumes a woman is in Perimenopause by the age of 45
- Many women report experiencing Perimenopause symptoms from the age of 40
- The average black woman women will reach her Menopause at 49
- The average white woman will reach her Menopause at the age of 51
- Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome tend to reach Menopause aged 53
- Smokers reach menopause on average 1 year before non smokers
- Menopause is defined as when a woman has not had a bleed for 12 consecutive months
- Premature menopause, premature ovarian failure, or premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) are terms used when a woman reaches menopause in her teens, 20s, 30s, or early 40s
- HRT protects a woman from many illnesses including: Alzheimer’s; heart disease & strokes, Osteoporosis & Type 2 Diabetes
- The rate of major depressive disorders and depressive symptoms increase 2 to 3 fold during the Perimenopause transition due to a number of different factors:
- Psychosocial
- Increased sensitivity to ovarian hormone fluctuations and menopausal symptoms
- Poor health & fitness
- Poor nutrition
- Women who experience a shorter Perimenopause transition may be more protected against Perimenopausal depression
- The study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) showed that women with higher BMIs are more likely to have worse hot flashes during Perimenopause
- Auto-immune disease (under-active thyroid, Type 1 diabetes, Addisons disease), genetics, infection, surgery, chemo and radiation treatment can place a woman into early Menopause
- 3 out of 4 women experience symptoms, 1 in 4 could experience serious symptoms
- Insomnia – waking up at 3a.m. is one of the first indicators
- Mood swings: Depression, Anger, Anxiety & Imposter Syndrome
- Low confidence
- Increased Premenstrual Tension
- Short term memory loss / brain fog
- Headaches / Migraines
- Weight gain – especially around the belly
- Menstrual cycle may lengthen or shorten
- Heavy bleeding, also known as flooding
- Decreased fertility, although you can still get pregnant for up to 2 years post menopause
- Hot flashes & night sweats
- Heart palpitations
- Lower sex drive, vaginal atrophy , dryness
- Urinary incontinence
- Stiff and achy joints
- Osteoporosis
- Carpal Tunnel
- Peripheral neuropathy & formication (itchy skin)
- Rosacea
- Thinning hair
- Vertigo
- Tinnitus
- You can’t lose weight once your in Perimenopause
- You have to be 50 to be Menopausal – some women will reach menopause in their 30’s and this is defined as Premature Menopause
- HRT is dangerous and shouldn’t be used – for most, HRT is very safe and protects you from many diseases
- I can help you get fit during Perimenopause and Menopause
- I can help you regulate your mood swings
- I can help you feel more energised
- I can help you sleep better
- The Japanese call the Menopause the “Second Spring” for a reason because once through it – you’re free – you no longer have to worry about the time of the month – your young still and can do anything you want to do
- Many people repurpose their life and go through a period of great growth – which we call Menopause Growth / Wisdom