The Journey to your second spring or the Winter of Discontent?
Are you tired, waking in the early hours, feeling more on edge than usual?
Perimenopause seems like a new thing, its always been there but not really talked about, now it seems it’s talked about all the time, but still sadly not fully understood
HRT is not the answer for everyone, nor potentially needed in the early stages
Menopause is everywhere these days, specific face creams, vitamins, it seems a marketers dream at the moment, and while Menopause is certainly being talked about, women’s options seems somewhat limited. HRT is improved for sure, but still the lack of understanding of root cause remains.
There are 2 significant stages to Perimenopause
In the first stage Progesterone declines and its quite a plummet rather than a gradual decline. Progesterone is a natural calmer and sleep aid and when it starts to drop stress/anxiety levels raise and put a strain on the Adrenal glands.
This stage doesn’t occur for those on progesterone only birth control
Symptoms of first stage include:
- Poor sleep, early awaking
- Anxiety or anxious feelings
- Mood changes
- Anger bursts
- Headaches
- Heavier painful Periods
- Trouble concentrating
At this point we work to support the Adrenal glands, encourage progesterone and regain balance with Reflexology, relaxation audios and natural supplements as wee as supporting you in how to speak to your Dr. to get the right help.
The second stage is the reduction of ovary activity and a drop in Oestrogen and Testosterone. Now the Adrenals (remember them) should at this point provide some back up, but they are often overworked or fatigued at this point.
Second Stage Symptoms include:
- Hot flushes
- Night sweats
- weight around the middle
- vaginal dryness
- low libido
- Altered skin sensation
- Dry saggy skin
- Joint pain
- Plantar fasciitis
- Low energy
- Lack of confidence
- Recurrent UTI’s
- Itchy skin
- Body Odour
- and more…
There is a lot you can still do to self manage, plus ways to get support from your Dr.
Sessions with me may be an alternative to and also work along side conventional medical therapies.
Could B12 be an issue affecting your symptoms, find out more here
I thought I was going mad, I was turning into someone I didn’t recognise, and really didnt like. It was like a red mist appeared, and I had angry outbursts. But now I feel like myself again and everyone is happier!
Kate was exhausted, she was waking in the early hours, sometimes with a sense of panic, she wasn’t herself.
She came to see me for some reflexology to try to help her relax and improve sleep.
When we discussed her other symptoms, those that she didn’t realise were actually symptoms, I suggested that these could be symptoms of the perimenopause. She was irritable, had outbursts of anger that shocked her and her children.
“But I’m only 42” she said.
The thing is the perimenopause can last for up to 10 years, its not always a gentle transition, but when you understand what the cause is, its easier to take control and support the body.
Kate had Reflexology sessions, was taught self care practices that she could do herself at home, took natural supplements, listened to specific audio tracks and soon started to feel like herself again.