There has been so much written with regards to peri menopausal and especially the menopause, but there seems to be very little in respect of post menopausal. I know I have highlighted all of these in earlier posts, but post menopausal seems to have become a focus for me at the moment (probably because it is really affecting me!!!). I have been doing a bit of research just to see what is out there and have found some quite conflicting advice (as if we are not confused already!!). I’ll apologise now but I think I might be focussing on this for a while.
I read somewhere that as our life expectancy has increased and the age women hit the menopause has decreased and therefore we can be postmenopausal for a much longer period of time. So the general consensus is that postmenopausal usually occurs between 45 and 55 but can last for between 5 to 10 years and for some the rest of their lives!!!!!!! As we are all different but still have to endure the effects of a reduction in both oestrogen (which regulates our menstrual cycle) and progesterone (which is the hormone that supports pregnancy), this can produce a variety of issues. Some folk can still continue to have night sweats and hot flushes and the whole list of menopausal symptoms as they may have already had, for many, symptoms will stop completely, however there are still the chances of………….NEWS IN – here are some of the continued symptoms and possible added health risks!!!) osteoporosis, UTIs including incontinence (careful when you laugh and cough!!!!), sexual discomfort, heart disease, hair loss, depression/mood swings (sounds just like the menopause with added “benefits” doesn’t it and all makes for cheerful reading so far?) and to add to this the sleepless nights, brain fog (which I mentioned multiple times – says it all really) and not to forget weight gain!!!! Makes you glad to be a woman doesn’t it?
All of the above can be pretty daunting and I suppose to some extent quite scary and of course we all know we can never predict what the future holds from one day to the next can we? But I am going to list a few questions and over the next few blogs try and look at these with some of the information which is out there and what I have found in my own personal journey and if any of it helps then job done!!!
Some of the questions I have asked myself and I know others have asked the same kind of thing:
What is it? / What causes it and how does it affect our hormones? / How do I manage it? / Are there complications? / Can I stay fit and healthy?/
So my plan is to look at all the info out there and then look at the options available, unfortunately there are lots of things on social media claiming to sort all your problems by drinking….whatever… or doing these specific exercises… etc. but what I do fervently believe that there is no quick fix (and I know I have hit on this before) because if there was, none of us would be buying all these “amazing” products and we would not have to put up with all the issues which affect us – now pre warning (because you have to do these things nowadays!!) I am looking at works for me which may not be the case for everyone, however if what I do resonates with even one person then all good. The reason I have slightly changed course in this blog is I am doing well at the gym by being consistent, but that is only a small part of the whole thing, so together with Jodie’s help I am going to look at my whole lifestyle and get into better habits but still ensuring I can enjoy myself and not put pressure on myself either.
As I’ve said this is really important to me and I would really like to highlight all the aspects of being post menopausal so hopefully you will follow along.
60's fit and not ready to quit 