Ladies, let’s talk about menopause
“Menopause is like autumn leaves falling; it's a natural shedding of the old to make way for the new.”
Patricia Akins, author
Everyone goes through seasons in their lives. For women, menopause is one of those seasons.
Yes, it may have its own unique challenges, but this phase can also offer freedom and a sense of empowerment.
So, what exactly is menopause?
In the simplest of terms – it’s a natural biological process that marks the end of a woman’s menstrual cycle. Officially, you are in menopause after you’ve experienced 12 consecutive months without a period.
The tricky part is that menopause usually kicks in around age 50, but for others – it could happen a little earlier. This is known as perimenopause, which may start in your 40s or even late 30s. At this stage, hormone levels (especially oestrogen and progesterone) fluctuate, causing a range of symptoms.
Common symptoms of menopause
- Mood swings
- Night sweats
- Irregular periods
- Hot flushes
- Sleep disturbances
- Low libido
- Vaginal dryness/discomfort during sex
- Weight gain
- Muscle/joint aches
- Memory lapses or brain fog
- Increased stress, anxiety, or depression
These symptoms are typically triggered due to your dropping oestrogen levels, but it’s important to know that every woman experiences menopause differently. Some sail through with mild symptoms, while others find it incredibly troublesome.
How to get through menopause
While menopause can feel overwhelming at first, looking at it as more of a phase or transition, it becomes manageable.
First, talk about menopause (if you feel comfortable). Ask questions, join online support groups, or share your journey with a friend or therapist. Menopause also needs to start being taken seriously in the workplace, so the more we normalise these conversations, the better you can manage this phase.
Take a look at your diet and overall lifestyle. Are you getting enough calcium-rich foods? What about fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, and lean meat? A diet that has substantial amounts of calcium, Vitamin D, and whole foods is good news for bone health and hormone balance.
Don’t forget about regular exercise; physical activity improves your mood and sleep. Try walking, yoga, swimming, and resistance training.
Please don’t suffer in silence. Some women experience extreme symptoms. If that’s you, visit a doctor. Get medical support and treatment.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a common treatment for menopause symptoms. It works by replacing the oestrogen that your body loses. It can relieve hot flushes and vaginal dryness. At the same time, explore lifestyle options like meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises to help with overall menopause symptoms.
Remember
Just as you’ve celebrated birthdays and big occasions, menopause is not something to fear or hide from. It’s simply another stage of life, just like growing up, becoming a teenager, an adult, and moving through all the other milestones you’ve already overcome.
It’s a season to care for yourself, get medical help if necessary, and embrace this new stage with respect for your body. For many women, life after menopause becomes a time of clarity, confidence, and freedom. No more periods and no more birth control worries. Embrace this new chapter as a time to refocus on yourself, your health, passions, and goals.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. Always check with your doctor or medical practitioner about any health concerns, before embarking on any fitness or nutrition programme, or using any medication.