Could it be Menopause?

Menopause has been called “puberty in reverse” by many practitioners in the medial community. Just like puberty, menopause can be a confusing and often painful time in life, but we all get through it! There is a lot we still do not understand about women’s health, but there are some things we know FOR SURE!

EVERY WOMAN WILL GO THROUGH MENOPAUSE- EVEN IF YOU HAVE HAD YOUR UTERUS AND/OR OVARIES REMOVED

This transition begins slowly in the mid 40’s (perimenopause) then symptoms gradually progress over time until full menopause is reached and hormone levels drop to an all time low.

The average age of menopause is 51.

WOMEN LIVE WITH SYMPTOMS OF MENOPAUSE FOR 10 YEARS OR MORE!

Unfortunately for most women, the symptoms they report to their doctors during this time are not recognized as “menopausal” and they are treated with pharmaceutical drugs for multiple and various “diagnoses” (anti- anxiety meds, sleeping pills, statins, pain medications, etc). Before you know it, you wake up at age 65 and you’re taking handfuls of pills twice a day to maintain your low level of “health”. And yet, you can’t lose weight, can’t sleep, struggle with memory loss, and can barely walk up a flight of stairs without pain.

MENOPAUSE IS A FULL BODY EXPERIENCE… IT AFFECTS EVERY PROCESS IN THE FEMALE BODY INCLUDING: METABOLISM, REPRODUCTION, CARDIOVASCULAR, MOVEMENT, BRAIN HEALTH, DIGESTION

Could you be entering into menopause? You may recognize some of these symptoms:

  1. Fatigue/ low motivation

  2. Night sweats/ Hot flushes or flashes/ sweating

  3. Osteoporoses / joint pain/ stiffness/ musculoskeletal pain

  4. Difficulty going to sleep/staying asleep

  5. Pain with intercourse

  6. Vaginal dryness/ atrophy/ reduced sex drive

  7. Anxiety/ heart palpitations

  8. Memory loss/ brain fog

  9. Irritability/moodiness

  10. Weight gain/ belly fat/ weight lose resistance

Many women begin the transition slowly in their mid 40’s and may not even recognize that they are loosing sleep, loosing their mind, and losing their mojo until years later. Is a blood test required to diagnose menopause? No, not really. Would you do a blood test to diagnose your cranky, smelly, moody preteen kid to see it they were in puberty ? Probably not. Recognizing the signs and symptoms can help you to identify were you are in the process. Lifestyle and nutrition changes can go a long way to mitigate symptoms and optimize health and longevity!

IT IS HELPFUL TO DO SPECIALIZED TESTING TO MAXIMIZE ADRENAL AND THRYOID HEALTH

The million dollar question: What can we do about it? How can women lead a full, healthy, happy, joyful life while struggling through this unavoidable transition ?? What changes can we make to not only live longer, but improve our quality of life???

OPTIMIZE YOUR NUTRITION, GET THE RIGHT KIND OF EXERCISE, PERSONALIZED SUPPLEMENTS AND ADAPTOGENS , GET RID OF TOXINS IN YOUR BODY, MANAGE YOUR STRESS, AND ENHANCE YOUR SLEEP

I have been on the menopause struggle bus myself for 10 years. This has inspired me to learn more about the most updated information on women’s health and menopause…. and to share it with you!! I have been certified in Perimenopause and Menopause Health Coaching through the Integrative Women’s Health Institute and would be honored to help you navigate this transition with great health and improved quality of life. ~ Kaye Sharp MPT, WHC, ERYT

Contact Kaye for a health coaching session to learn how to make these changes in your life and feel great in your own body again!