Transitioning from Peri Menopause to Menopause
Perimenopause, the natural transition towards Menopause, is a significant phase in a woman's life, affecting both physical and emotional well-being.
While some may see it as an ending, it can also be a time of new beginnings and self-discovery.
In Chinese Medicine, this period is known as the Second Spring, a rite of passage that challenges and transforms you. For some, the transition is smooth, but for many, symptoms can be uncomfortable and isolating.
This blog delves into Perimenopause and Menopause, offering tips for a smoother transition and how Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can help.
See more on HOW we work with Acupuncture for Peri and Menopause.
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Peri Menopause to Menopause: A second Spring
Perimenopause refers to the time during which a woman's body makes the natural transition towards Menopause. Perimenopause affects women on a physical and psychoemotional level. Although some may consider it a time of endings, it can also be viewed as a time of new beginnings.
A time for the new you to emerge.
In Chinese Medicine, this phase is known as the Second Spring.
Like all rites of passage, it comes with challenges as it calls you forward in weird and wonderful ways. It commands your true self to appear on the other side of menopause where you can step into your power.
For some women stepping into their second Spring is an easy transition. However, for many, the various symptoms are uncomfortable and even debilitating and can lead to feelings of shame and isolation. Below I discuss the ins and outs of Perimenopause and Menopause, some tips to make the transition easier, and how we can assist you with Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.
What’s the definition of Perimenopause and Menopause?
Perimenopause usually begins when a woman is in her 40s and her periods are still regular, and can last between 2 to 12 years.
Technically Menopause is considered to start one year after the last period.
During this time there are big hormonal changes with FSH levels increasing and oestrogen levels dropping.
It is important to remember that this is a normal transition and not a health condition!
Can a blood test confirm if I’m in Menopause?
Yes it can!
Hormones change throughout the cycle so testing baseline levels of FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and Oestrogen on day 3 of your period is the most accurate.
Your GP can arrange this or you can order these tests privately.
If you’re in your 40’s+ and your day 3 levels of FSH are above 20 and Oestrogen below 70, it’s likely you’re in Peri/Menopause.
If you’re in your 30’s or very early 40’s, and your day 3 levels of FSH are above 20 and Oestrogen below 70, please don’t stress! Come see us as there are things we can do to improve these hormonal numbers!
If you have very irregular periods now and have no idea when your next one will be, test on any day but know your levels won’t quite be as accurate as day 3 baseline levels as your hormones change depending on if you’ve ovulated yet or not.
Perimenopause/Menopause Symptoms may include:
- Hot flushes & Night sweats
- Insomnia
- Irregular periods, changes in flow & length
- Fibroids
- Mood changes – Anxiety & Depression
- Palpitations
- Fatigue & low energy
- Brain fog & memory issues
- Weight gain
- Joint aches
- Migraine/headaches
- Vaginal dryness and/or painful Intercourse
- Decreasing fertility
- Changes in sexual desires
Psychologically the second Spring is a time when you come face to face with unresolved issues in your life and have the opportunity to heal these parts. This is supported by hormonal changes where now you find the impulse to bring more focus towards yourself as opposed to caring and nurturing others. According to Dr Northrup, perimenopause is a time when you are meant to mother yourself (p46)
How to ease Peri & Menopause symptoms
- Speak your truth. Say No when you mean it.
- Set clear boundaries. This is a time for self-care and thinking about where your priorities lie and how you would like to step into this new phase of your life.
- Take time to nurture and mother yourself.
- Reduce emotional stress. (Stress can make hot flushes more frequent and intense).
- Eat warm nourishing foods with extra focus on liquidy foods such as bone broths, stews, and soups that can counterbalance the dryness.
- Increase water to at least 2L of water to avoid dehydration.
- Focus on strength training exercises over high-intensity exercises to increase bone density and avoid burnout.
- Aim for at least 7 hours of sleep. Sleep restores both physical and mental energy. Adding magnesium to your routine will help relax muscles, balance hormones to promote calm, and help improve sleep.
Reduce all heat-producing foods and substances:
- Reduce coffee to a maximum 1 daily, especially with hot flushes. Green tea, Dandelion tea, and an occasional chai or hot chocolate are good alternatives.
- Significantly reduce alcohol.
- No chilli or spicy foods with hot flushes.
- Smoking heats the body and makes symptoms worse.
How Acupuncture helps Peri & Menopausal Symptoms
Menopause is an individual and elongated transition that will differ from one woman to another, therefore tailored Acupuncture & Chinese medicine treatments designed especially for you may provide significant benefits.
Research shows that Acupuncture is a natural and beneficial way of reducing moderate to severe menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, emotional issues, anxiety, sleeping disturbances, and many of the other uncomfortable symptoms you may be experiencing without the side effects of prescription medication.
See more on how we work with Perimenopause and Menopause.
Also see more helpful blogs and tips.
If the threshold of peri menopause or menopause is too much to walk on your own, we are more than happy to walk this windy road with you.