Radiant Transitions: Navigating Menopause & Empowerment

I trust this post finds you in radiant health and high spirits. Today, I'm opening my heart to share a deeply personal journey - my passage through perimenopause.

A mere two years ago, the term "perimenopause" was foreign to me. I was confident I'd traverse menopause naturally, steering clear of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Little did I anticipate the profound impact that hormonal changes could wield over our bodies.

Fuelled by curiosity, I embarked on a quest for knowledge. I plunged into research, devoured books, engaged experts, and embarked on enlightening conversations with dear friends and dedicated students. My thirst for wisdom even led me to become a certified "Strong through Menopause Coach" in Sweden.

Today, I'm thrilled to share this newfound wisdom with my cherished yoga community. It's disheartening to witness myths and misconceptions cast shadows upon our understanding of this pivotal phase in a woman's life. Together, let's illuminate the path ahead.

Before we delve deeper, let's shed light on a few concepts: Menopause is the day you've crossed a year without a period. Meno means period, and pause marks its stop. Before menopause lies perimenopause (roughly ages 45-52), followed by postmenopause (from menopause onward to life's end), often just referred to as "menopause." And lastly, HRT stands for Hormone Replacement Therapy.

While menopause is an intrinsic facet of a woman's existence, it ushers in profound hormonal changes that reshape our very essence. Visualize it as the day when curtains fall on your reproductive chapter, and a symphony of transformation commences. In Denmark, this evocative transition typically unfurls around the age of 52 with the menopause.

As we embrace this metamorphosis with grace, let's acknowledge an essential truth. While menopause is a natural milestone shared by all women, there is nothing "natural" about enduring the often overwhelming effects of hormonal imbalance. This realization forms the backdrop of the symphony that unfolds.

In this enchanting performance, the dynamic trio of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone - long-time conductors of your body's rhythm - embark on a fresh choreography. As their levels wane, they illuminate a diverse array of experiences. Picture a crescendo of warmth enveloping you in the embrace of hot flashes, and a serene nocturne punctuated by night sweats. Sleep, once a steadfast companion, may now engage in a whimsical game of hide-and-seek, leaving you yearning for tranquil repose. Emotions, akin to a melodic serenade, may sway unpredictably, reminding you that mood shifts are part of this intricate dance.

Yet, amidst this symphony of change, an empowering narrative emerges. Perimenopause and menopause enhance the melody, urging us to nurture self-awareness and self-care as guiding notes. Armed with knowledge of these hormonal shifts, you step into the role of conductor, leading this orchestra with poise.

Imagine the symphony as a harmonious dance between nature and nurture. Lifestyle choices, akin to skilled dancers, grace center stage. Nutrition sets the rhythm, fuelling your body's resilience. Exercise weaves through the performance, maintaining the cadence of vitality. Stress management, a graceful partner, ensures a seamless flow. And sleep, the interlude of rejuvenation, readies you for each act.

Together, these choices harmonize into a masterpiece, elevating the menopausal voyage into an eloquent waltz of empowerment and well-being. And in this dance, you have the choice to add a new powerful instrument, namely Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), which joins as a guardian against the formidable ailments that may emerge due to the absence of your dynamic trio of sex hormones.

As you contemplate this, remember that in Denmark (and Europe), most women embark upon menopause around the age of 52. With a life expectancy of 83.4 years, over three decades - nearly a third of our lives - beckon beyond menopause. It's a whole new chapter brimming with potential for joy, not suffering and struggle.

Every woman's experience of perimenopause is different and now I would like to share a little window into my own journey. Imagine waking up every morning, your joints are stiff and sore, yes you ache all over! One day your regular run feels smooth and delightful and the next time every step is a pain and you pee your pants with exertion. It's like turning on a faucet that was once tightly closed. For months, you suffer from the fact that every time you move your head from upright to sideways or turn in bed, the world revolves around you as if on a roller coaster. Not to mention when you have to show your students how to do the bridge pose...whew, you'll take an involuntary triple loop in the roller coaster. Tennis elbow, a curious companion, arrives uninvited despite my infrequent encounters with the tennis court. And then there's the confusing pain in my Achilles tendon, an injury that appeared out of thin air. In the midst of all this, your periods have become completely erratic after being like clockwork for 40 years.

It has now been 3 months since I actively chose to have estrogen added to my body, and felt lucky that my GP met me with total understanding. He even said that the gynaecologists are now telling the GP’s that they need to step up their menopause care because to many women are under treated for 5-7 years. I am happy to report that all the above symptoms are gone (except the involuntary periodic incontinence - but I have an idea of what it takes - which I reveal for when I'm sure).

In closing, ponder these 5 facts from the research*:

• 50% of women over fifty worldwide (not on HRT) will develop osteoporosis.
• The risk of heart attack for women escalates fivefold after menopause.
• Women on HRT experience a 30% reduced risk of dying from a heart attack.
• Globally, women with dementia (including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson's) outnumber men by almost two to one.
• Midlife HRT reduces the risk of Alzheimer's by 58%.

*(source: the Definitive guide to perimenopause and menopause by Dr. Louise Newson)


With heartfelt warmth and boundless gratitude,
Hrönn

P.S. The conversation continues! Please share your thoughts and queries next time we meet or in the comments.  Together, let's compose a harmonious tune of empowerment through the symphony of menopause for all women.

In my next “Unlock your Vitality” workshop I’ll reveal more practical information about menopause and how you can move through this phase with uplifting tools and empowering wisdom.

Book a STRONG THROUGH MENOPAUSE individual consultation online or in person with me (English, Danish or Icelandic):

This consultation focuses on lifestyle advice for women and is suitable for you who seek knowledge about what happens in the body during menopause and feel lost about what you can do yourself to achieve an improved mental and physical well-being. Before the consultation you will receive a form to track your symptoms + several questions to be answered in writing. Price 750DKK