Menopause
Navigating life after menopause
Your periods have finally stopped. So that must mean an end to fluctuating hormones, horrible symptoms and you can get on with the next stage of your life? Sometimes sadly its not always as smooth sailing as we’d hope…
After your last period, symptoms may continue for 4-5 years and although they tend to decrease in frequency and intensity, they are still tricky to deal with. And about 10% of women will experience symptoms for much longer. For others, symptoms generally become milder or go away completely.
Why does this happen?
Menopause is a normal phase of a woman’s life so when problems arise, it is often due to imbalances that have developed before and during perimenopause. The severity of symptoms depends on the level of imbalances. Your menopause journey is affected by so many different factors such as ongoing hormone imbalances, blood sugar imbalances, food intolerances, liver function, gut health, nutrient poor or high-sugar diets, nutrient deficiencies, inadequate sleep, stress, lack of exercise and no relaxation.
Are you?
Still lacking energy and struggle to get going in the morning?
Finding your skin is drier than it used to be?
Experiencing palpitations or dizziness for no reason?
Noticing your hair is thinner or more brittle than it used to be?
Struggling with joint pain or stiffness?
Less interested in sex and maybe suffering from vaginal dryness?
Suffering from low mood or anxiety?
Fed up with ongoing brain fog and poor memory?
It’s time to get to the root cause of ongoing hormone imbalances!
Menopause officially starts 12 months after your last period and usually happens between the ages of 45-55. Your ovaries produce so little oestrogen that eggs are no longer released which causes your period to stop. You may also experience menopause prematurely for a clinical reason such as hysterectomy or the removal of ovaries (surgical menopause).
As oestrogen levels decline, you may notice other physical factors such as higher blood pressure or raised cholesterol levels. There is also an increased risk of osteoporosis, diabetes, weight gain or cardiovascular disease at this time of life. Healthy dietary and lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk of these conditions.
Hormonal imbalances in the years preceding menopause can lead to:
Hot flashes or night sweats
Anxiety, irritability or panic attacks
Fatigue, dizziness or heart palpitations
Lack of interest in sex
Dry itchy skin and vaginal dryness
Insomnia or sleep disturbances
Frequent urination or urinary incontinence
Problems with memory and concentration
Build-up of fat around the abdomen
Flatulence, bloating or abdominal cramps
Breast tenderness or changes in shape
Burning tongue or gum problems
So what can you do?
Nutritional therapy can help you get back on track by identifying aspects of your diet and lifestyle that may be affecting your hormone balance and general wellbeing. Unfortunately menopause often coincides with increased stresses from children leaving home, aging parents and increased responsibilities at work which can make it harder to manage.
Menopause is a hugely personal experience not just a medical condition. Your menopause journey is unique to you so there is no “one size fits all” approach as our health and pre-existing conditions in the run up to menopause have a huge impact. By delving deep into your health history and finding the root cause of issues rather than just treating your symptoms, I can help you understand your potential imbalances and get your body back into balance.