I wrote in a previous blog about being peri-menopausal. To be honest, all I went with was hot flashes, mood swings and being more prone to injury. Since then, I’ve noticed an increase in fatigue and a general ache in my joints. My right knee, which I seemed to have injured at the start of the year still feels unstable and occasionally still hurts.
So, I made the decision to seek help from a nutritionist. Now, I have just completed the Preparation Phase, which is two days, and I can honestly say it was not easy. However, I persevered as I want to manage this phase of my life better, and through diet, if possible. Today, I start on the Strict Adjustment Phase, which will last 14 days. It is going to be interesting as the latter part of the phase will be during the yoga holiday I am hosting. Where there is the will, there is a way!
To be honest though, I have not actually researched this natural phase of a woman’s life cycle at all prior to contacting the nutritionist. I just knew that I was going through a life change and I believe that it can be managed with adjustments to my lifestyle. So, when I went along to a seminar on nutrition and menopause yesterday, I found out more about how the imbalance in hormones and a stressed liver could exacerbate the symptoms I am experiencing. I discovered that I am doing pretty much what I can to help the symptoms, and where the gaps are.
Do not get me wrong, as I believe my symptoms are only mild. I have chosen to share my experiences here because I believe that too many women, especially those around my age, in the fitness industry, choose to plough on through, regardless of what their bodies are telling them. For example, I found out that over and above the usual hot flashes, irregular periods, mood swings, there are some additional symptoms, such as:
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Sleep disorders
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory lapses
- Weight gain, especially around the middle
- Depression
- Headaches
- Bloating
- Brittle nails
- Allergies
- Changes in odour
- Joint pain
- Irregular heartbeat
- Digestive problems
- Muscle tension
- Cracked heels
So, if you are about my age, how many of those symptoms can you relate to?
This is essentially part of being a woman and life change. However, with some lifestyle and dietary changes, it is possible to journey through this phase with gracefully.
I have no idea how long my journey will take and how smooth or rough the road will be. So, I have no idea if I will decide to support my journey with HRT. Suffice to say that for now, as I embark on this phase of my life, I seek to do so naturally … and yoga!
