All Change

Hey Friend!

Hope all is well with you.

You’re not going to believe this but, ever since I turned 40, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the menopause. I know, weird. But the thought of not having a week of checking I haven’t leaked, wearing dark clothes in case I do and ensuring the bottom of my wardrobe is fully stocked with sanitary products, is too delightful to ignore.

I am now 46-years-young and it seems I am still no closer to that elusive time (sigh).

With three females in our home, all of whom are of menstruating age, the cost of pads is one I’d hoped to have reduced by now. And of course, none of us use the same thing. Thick, thin, extra long; with wings or without. There are an array of pads in the bathroom cupboard.

I read up on what to expect and as I’ve opened a couple of links on MSN, there pretty much isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t get another menopause related article popping up on my screen.

I’m currently working in an office where, for the first time, all of the women are roughly ten years older than me and are going through ‘the change’. It’s interesting to hear of the symptoms they’re experiencing which range from the very familiar hot flushes to perhaps not so familiar things like insomnia.

The list of possible symptoms include:

• Hot flushes
• Night sweats
• Sleep disturbances
• Brain fog
• Vaginal dryness
• Hair loss
• Weight gain
• Mood swings and irritability
• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Breast pain
• Digestive issues
• Irregular periods
• Decreased libido
• Urinary incontinence
• Bone loss
• Skin and hair changes
• Heavy periods
• Muscle and joint pain
• Dizziness
• Gum and dental issues
• Headaches
• Irregular heartbeat

Isn’t this list crazy? And this isn’t even all of them – there are more!

The most common symptom is hot flushes and this is true in my office where there are so many fans whirring that you’d be think there was a full blown gale happening inside a building. The women sigh as they flap their tops and tell me, “You’ve got all this to come.”

Err… no. No thank you. That’s not for me at all.

I’ve been determined that I would not experience these symptoms – they are not the norm for all women. And I’ve been pretty good at reducing sugar, exercising and eating well (which has been known to help).

That was up until last year when I went back to full-time work… Regular exercise went out the window and it has been a hard slog trying to get back into a routine. My body feels slower for it (which I hate) so I am slowly (slowly) getting back to it.

I have noticed I’ve been a bit irritable with the children, which I also hate – I used to be the patient parent!

I’ve been experiencing some digestive issues. Sorry if this is TMI but some days I am so gassy, I’m desperately trying not to let one slip out or timing my trip to the bathroom just right so I can trump freely…! There have been a couple of days when I’ve left the office and have been trumping as I walk down the road – of course I make sure there’s no one walking behind me!

Whether or not these things are down to perimenopause or just due to not being as healthy as I have been in the last few years, I don’t know. But I do know that I don’t like it.

So, what’s the solution?

Well, I’ve been working out more regularly again (yay me!). I’ve realised that no matter how much I dislike it in the moment, I feel good afterwards. It’s also better to keep going with it no matter what because coming back to it after a long while is hard. Weights that were easy to lift, I’m struggling with; reps that I could easily do two or three sets of, I’m now struggling to get through one.

I should also say I’ve been inspired by my 57-year-old colleague who has the most amazing arms and she works out regularly. Think Angela Basset and you’ll have a clear picture of what I aspire to…

Sugar is my enemy. I’m looking at alternative sweet treats like sweet potato brownies and cupcakes made with chickpeas… I know, I know, but I have to at least try! I’ll let you know how they go down with the children…

Supplements are going to be a big thing too but I’ve not narrowed that list down yet so, I’ll circle back to that.

After all that, am I still looking forward to menopause, I hear you ask?

To be healthy, strong with hormones balanced and all the while, not having to deal with the inconvenience of periods? Sounds great  😊

Speak soon x