Tag: worldmenopauseday

World Menopause Day – Menopause and You

Written by Lorraine Smith on October 18, 2021. Posted in Aromatherapy, Complementary & Holistic Therapies, Medical Massage, Self-Care.

Today, 18th October, is World Menopause Day.

World Menopause Day aims to increase awareness of the menopause and the support available.

What is Menopause?

A woman is considered menopausal when she hasn’t had a period for 12 full months.Infact, The Menopause Charity defines it as the single day when you have not had a period for 12 months; after this one day, you are post menopausal.

What Age will I be Menopausal

The average age to become menopausal in the UK is 51.

However, some ladies will have an early menopause – under age 45. Early menopause might be triggered by some underlying health conditions or as a result of receiving treatment for cancer.

Surgical menopause is where you have your ovaries removed – you will immediately go into menopause.

Many people describe themselves as menopausal when they start experiencing symptoms such as hot flushes, erratic menstruation, alterations in their mood and a whole host of other signs. This is infact perimenopausal, also known as your menopause transition period.

My last blog looked into perimenopause, the symptoms you may experiencing and self-help suggestions. You can read this here /its-world-perimenopause-day-are-you-experiencing-perimenopause/

Menopause and Bone Health

This year’s World Menopause Day theme is bone health.

Oestrogen is essential for the formation of healthy bones. When oestrogen levels drop after the menopause, this can lead to a decrease in bone density and an increase in the risk of osteoporosis.

Haitham Hamoda is Consultant Gynaecologist and Lead for the Menopause Team at King’s College Hospital as well as being Chairman of the British Menopause Society. He discusses bone health and the advantages and risks of HRT in a short, informative video which you can see here.

Menopause – HRT or the Holistic Approach?

Haitham Hamoda advises that HRT is the first choice of treatment for osteoporosis in women under 60.

HRT can help manage your menopausal symptoms and improve your quality of life. HRT has also been shown to reduce cardiovascular disease.

Whilst for most women, the benefits of HRT are believed to outweigh the risks, it is recommended that you discuss your individual case with your medical expert as well as doing your own research.

You may, however, prefer a more holistic approach with lifestyle changes such as healthier diet choices, ceasing smoking, reducing intake of sugar and other stimulants, increasing your exercise, implementing a sleep routine and making time for you.

A quick search will produce lots of information. One site with lots of information is The Menopause Charity.

Flo Health mentions a number of essential oils that can help you during your menopause transition period and there have been a number of studies carried out showing that reflexology can help reduce depression in menopausal women, reduce hot flushes and improve sleep quality, and decrease anxiety and depression.

Sally Earlham is a renowned reflexology specialist and creator of Reflexology for Menopause – this unique course looks at the menopause, reflexology research, lifestyle factors for easing menopausal symptoms and focused reflexology techniques aimed at supporting your body through this time of transition.

I am delighted to be a qualified Menopausal Reflexology Practitioner. If you would like to know more about this treatment, please visit /complementary/#Reflexology or contact me.

Menopause and You

Your menopause experience will be as unique as you are.

Whilst the symptoms may be unwanted, please remember that this too will pass.

Perimenopause and menopause are natural processes. This is a great time to reflect and reframe and think about what you would like moving forward to the next stage of your life.

It’s World Perimenopause Day ~ are you Experiencing Perimenopause?

Written by Lorraine Smith on October 11, 2021. Posted in Complementary & Holistic Therapies, Massage, Medical Massage, Self-Care.

October is menopause awareness month.

October 12th is World Perimenopausal Day, a day that aims to raise awareness of people’s knowledge of perimenopause.

What is Perimenopause?

The Collins Dictionary tells us perimenopause is

the period leading up to the menopause during which some of the symptoms associated with menopause may be experienced

It is the transition phase a woman goes through on her journey towards menopause (cessation of menstruation).

What Age does Perimenopause Start?

Perimenopause most usually begins when a woman is in her 40s however it can start when a woman is in her 30s, or, occasionally, but quite rarely, even earlier.

How Long Does Perimenopause Last?

Every woman is unique and her experience of Perimenopause is personal to them.

Perimenopause can last anything from a few months to around a decade. Most women experience perimenopause for approximately four years. However, according to the NHS site, 10% of women will experience symptoms lasting in excess of 12 years.

When does Perimenopause End?

Perimenopause ends when you are menopausal. Menopause is defined as the cessation of your menstrual cycle.

It is stated that you are menopausal once you have had twelve months without a period.

Why do I feel out of sorts?

As you approach menopause, oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone fluctuate within your body.

Oestrogen is one of the primary female sex hormones, produced by the endocrine system. Oestrogen affects the central nervous system, the cardiovascular system, your bladder, teeth, skin, nails, and hair. Oestrogen helps develop and maintain a woman’s reproductive system – puberty, periods and pregnancy. It aids in the development of female characteristics such as breasts. Oestrogen also helps with bone strength and maintaining cholesterol levels. Oestrogen assists with temperature regulation, sleep and your mood.

Progesterone helps to regulate your menstrual cycle and prepare your uterus for pregnancy.

Testosterone fluctuations can affect your libido. Testosterone also helps maintain muscle and bone strength and can contribute to your mood and cognitive performance.

How Will I Know if I am Perimenopausal?

Whilst some women will be unaffected during their menopause transition period, many will experience symptoms they would rather not have!

Also, a proportion of women may not consider perimenopause as being responsible for how they are feeling as they are still menstruating.

Dr Louise Newson, the menopause doctor, tells us that, infact, perimenopause and menopause symptoms are the same, explaining that cessation of periods is often the last part of your menopause journey.

The most common way of diagnosing perimenopause in the over 45s is by the symptoms they may be experiencing.

Symptoms of perimenopause can include:

Hot flushes
Night sweats
Increase in PMS symptoms
Breast tenderness
Decrease in libido
Low energy levels
Menstruation changes
Urine leakage
Increase in mictuation
Vaginal dryness
Mood swings
Sleep issues
Anxiety and stress
Weight gain
Aching joints
Headaches
Brain fog
Hair loss
Facial hair
Dizziness
Gum disease
Bad breath
Weak nails

If you are struggling with any perimenopausal symptoms please make an appointment to see your nurse practitioner or GP.

For hot flushes, you may find it helpful to keep a diary and note any triggers.

What can I do to Help Myself through my Menopause Transition Period?

Whilst the symptoms listed above may not be welcome, it is helpful to remember that perimenopause is a natural process that ageing women will go through. This transition period is an ideal time for personal reflection and growth; a time to think about any changes you would like to make and how you will achieve them.

One of the best things you could do is adopt The Five Pillars of Perimenopause Health. These are:

Diet
Exercise
Relaxation
Sleep
Purpose

Are you mindful of these?

It is recognised that elevated cortisol, the stress hormone, can magnify perimenopausal symptoms. It is therefore recommended that you take time to regularly relax and destress. Whether it is exercise, time with friends, or a therapeutic treatment – do something for you that you enjoy.

Many studies have, in fact, been carried out showing how massage, acupuncture, reflexology and aromatherapy can all help with perimenopausal symptoms. An internet search will highlight these if you are interested to read more.

Why not schedule a treatment to help you as you move towards menopause? You can read more about relaxing treatments that might help on the /massage/ page and /complementary / page.