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By Ramona Packham Who better to learn about menopause and the impact it has on one’s life than from those going through it themselves? Read on to discover insights into three women’s experiences through menopause. One of my personal take home messages is how different one person’s experience can be from another! QUESTION 1# Please state your age and stage of menopause (i.e. perimenopausal, menopausal). If menopausal, how long have you been going through this? What age did you become perimenopausal or menopausal? Person 1.
QUESTION 2# Please state 3 of your main symptoms, and a short summary of how each one has affected your life. You can mention how these symptoms might have contributed to other symptoms. Person 1.
All these tend to affect each other and of course changes to life. I choose breathable clothing, do Pilates, exercise each day, take caffeine and hydrated sticks in water to give me energy to get through the day as tired from not sleeping well. Person 2. Only one symptom, which was very slight hot flashes that lasted for a minute or two. Person 3. Hot flushes in the legs. Mood swings. Weight gain and slowed metabolism. Person 4.
 QUESTION 3# Do you suffer from headaches or migraines? If so:
Person 1. I do suffer from headaches. I generally know why I get them which are following: My vision: I wear glasses and often find if too much glare or sun or night-time where I have to really concentrate can bring on a headache. I can’t read too much or look at screen as I can get a headache. I have two different eye visions. Lack of Sleep: tired from not sleeping well due to going to toilet or just waking up for no reason. This can lead to wrong position when I do sleep leading to sore neck muscles. Dehydration: Particularly when I am at work I may not get to drink enough water. Driving to my dad to look after him: whether it is tension, anxiousness, or stress or whether it’s a long way driving that I am not sure. My sister also experiences this. Strategies:
Person 2. No, extremely rare. If I did get a headache I don’t think it was related to menopause. Sleep and or relax rest helped with rare headache. Person 3. So far, I don’t suffer from migraines so can’t answer any of these questions. Person 4.
QUESTION 4# Do you exercise? If so, what exercise do you do and how often? Has this changed since becoming menopausal? Person 1. Yes I exercise. I have always enjoyed outdoors walking, hiking, cycling. Average: 5/7 days a week. Walk (5km average) 4x Walk up steps 2.5km then return (You Yangs hike) 1x (sometimes 2 x) Pilates 2x Since menopause I started Pilates to help strengthen muscles as well as help with some extra aches and pains (age or menopause not sure). Person 2. Yes, some stretching muscle exercisers and occasional walking, at least 2/3 times a week. It has not really changed but sometimes less or more. Person 3. I walk at times, sometimes hike. I have a job that keeps me active. I used to walk more but I get so tired after work now. Person 4. Minimal Walking, short HIIT routines QUESTION 5# What was your main concern in lead up to perimenopause if you had any. How has this concern been addressed? Do you still have any fears around the changes associated with menopause? Person 1. I did not have many concerns basically as my last 15yrs has been dedicated to caring for my parents as well as bringing up my girls that I simply didn’t think much of myself. This probably helped as I wasn’t concerned. I have Faith in God which helps me regarding my health. I know He knows everything about my life which is comforting that I am not alone. Person 2. No concerns or fears, although my mother had medium to extreme sudden hot flashes of sweat. Person 3. No concerns really as it was inevitable. I’m worried when I’m through menopause that I will age faster than I am expecting to. Person 4. Later than average age has higher incidence of cancers (familial history of cancer) QUESTION 6# How long were the periods of amenorrhea in your perimenopausal stage? Person 1. Periods were not lasting 4 days like usual. Periods lasted a day towards fully transitioning to menopause to just spotting. They were not once a month, and I didn’t know when they would come and go. Basically over 3 to 4 years reduced in duration and time. Person 2. Period flows lasted less days and lighter and skipped random months. Sometimes no period flow for three months and there was no consistency. On rare occasions period flows were heavier than usual and sometimes lasted longer days, but this occurred only about three times. At 50 years old menopause started and lasted about two years, then the third year I had no periods for at least 12 months, when suddenly I got a heavy period for about two hours in one day and then nothing, and I haven’t had a period since. I visited the doctor and all tests showed that everything was fine. I also discussed my concern with a friend from work who reassured me it was normal to get a random period after a year, it happened to a few people she knew. Person 3. I have continued to have light periods. I had uncontrollable bleeding at 51 and had to seek medical attention. Person 4. 10 days maximum QUESTION 7# Can you provide information to any services, products, or advice that has been personally effective for you in coping with menopausal symptoms? Please list specifics. Person 1. Exercising Daily: I feel this has improved many of my symptoms. My hot flushes are not as frequent, my whole body feels stronger, and I feel better getting out into nature. Arbonne Energy Fizz Sticks: Flavours are great, boosts energy levels (don’t need caffeine however I enjoy a coffee). Energy Renew Gundry: Great Energy and overall health. Skin feels better. Colloidal Silver: helped with any urinary discomfort. Whether itchiness, dryness or burning sensation. Person 2. I noticed my very slight hot flushes occurred when l ate lots of sweets/cakes. The hot flushes never intensified just occurred slight hot flushes. As usual. I reduced my sweets and hot flushes were rare and if occurred were very mild, for a minute or less. Person 3. Have never been given advice on how to cope. Person 4. QUESTION 8# Did you feel prepared for menopause? Person 1. Not really but then I wasn’t really thinking too much about it. I had very difficult periods, heavy bleeding and much discomfort so it was more of a welcome in my life. Person 2. It seemed to happen naturally, yes, l was expecting it at some point in my fifties. Person 3. I accept it as inevitable.  QUESTION 9# Do you discuss your symptoms with other women? Person 1. Not hugely but I have a dear friend who shared how she felt. I would also hear others talking about it. Person 2. Yes, with women friends at work and a couple of close friends. Person 3. Sometimes with good friends. Person 4. Yes QUESTION 10# In your opinion, is there anything lacking in the healthcare system today to help women through these years? Person 1. Yes, lack of education and information from the healthcare system, or school. It seems to come across as a private subject or something and therefore many women do not know about it. I have not come across much information regarding menopause. Information on what you could do to prepare would be helpful to many such as exercise, dietary, meditative areas. Doctors rarely talk about it (mine has not). I also have been to osteopath (s) for different ailments not once has menopause come up as a possible reason for soreness, aches, pains etc. Person 2. Independent research not related or controlled or sponsored by big companies... This ensures accurate science results from independent doctors. More knowledge of natural and healthy options, such as essential oils, herbs, pure foods, exercises to help women rather than drugs or medications that usually have side effects and only treat the symptoms (surface issues) and not the cause. More awareness and information about the triggers and impact of certain supermarket food ingredients, diets, medications taken for long periods of time, etc. Person 3. I don’t think it’s approached by drs very effectively. They should ask more about what’s happening. I had to have an IUD put in to control the bleeding but I’d never heard of it happening to anyone before. The other option is uterine ablation which sounds horrific. Person 4. General information including definitions and non-pharmaceutical methods of assistance. QUESTION 11# Do you have any advice for young women who are getting close to the perimenopausal phase? Person 1. It would be good to share with young women common symptoms to expect in the lead up to menopause so that they are aware that their lives will be affected by the change and that it is normal. I know someone that reached menopause at age 38. She had no idea and had delayed having kids. Good for all women to be aware that it will happen at some point. Person 2. Do not be concerned if your mother has had a difficult menopause. Take notice of what you eat. No refined foods, and eat more unrefined. Be aware of certain chemicals placed in supermarket foods such as preservatives, additives and flavour enhancers. Book to read: The Chemical Maze, guide to food and cosmetic ingredients. Be aware of chemical cosmetic ingredients since it is placed on face near eyes, mouth, nose, brain etc. Choose natural and pure face products. Rest, sleep at least 8 hours, exercise-walking, drink water and or herbal teas, but no soft drinks and alcohol or only on extreme rare occasions. Do not smoke. Regular visits to detox in a sauna, very healthy. Person 3. Don’t be afraid and try to take care of yourself. Please use this space to make any further comments. The floor is yours! Person 1. Pilates has been very helpful to me. My daughter who is an osteopath recommended it. Getting the message regarding Pilates being the perfect exercise for premenopausal and menopausal women – balance, flexibility, muscle strength, women getting together and chatting about their health etc. I had a difficult time since a young teenager with my periods. I experienced a lot of pain, bleeding, not feeling great etc so in away for me to not have to deal with this has given me a break. Person 2. I had an easy menopause, so l shared my lifestyle over years of growing. My sister who smoked from a teenager to 48years old had extreme menopause headaches that lasted for at least 3 days but I don’t know if smoking had any impact. My mother had extreme hot flushes and is over weight. She eats healthy but enjoys her sweets. Person 3. I wish I’d know more about the way menopause varies for each woman. My new dr assures me I’m normal – I’m nearly 56, I should be done with this by now but I’m not. It’s very disconcerting! Wrap up This brings you to the end of this little survey. While the basic physiology of menopause is similar in all women, it is worth noting that everyone’s experience is unique to them. Let’s use this opportunity to encourage women about to go through the menopausal transition, those in it and those beyond it, to look after yourselves. Take this opportunity to reset and make any health-related changes or improvements to set you up for strength in the future. Sharing about your experiences with other women can also be beneficial to both the one sharing, and those who have the pleasure of listening. You never know what someone might relate to. Finally, if anyone reading this has any questions on the topic of menopause, be it personal or generic, please reach out to the HMC Osteopaths team who are here ready to listen and help.
1 Comment
15/8/2023 12:58:09 am
An inspiring and honest discussion about women's experiences with menopause! How can we further support and uplift women during this natural phase of life? Leave a Reply. |
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