What is Menopause?
Hot flushes. Night sweats. Weight gain around the middle. Most of us know the classic symptoms we can expect during our perimenopause and menopause.
​
However, there are other symptoms including aching joints, sore muscles, burning mouth, heart palpitations, sagging skin, acne, insomnia and irrational rage and anxiety.
​
Your menopause is when you stop having periods and are no longer able to fall pregnant naturally. However, the actual definition of being menopausal is when you have not had a period for one year. (Menopause, by Dr. Louise Newson, page 10).
​
Perimenopause is the period leading up to your menopause when hormone production decreases – rather fluctuates - and you may start to experience symptoms. Menopause is when you haven’t had a period for one whole year and Post Menopause is the time in your life after your menopause.
Your doctor should be able to tell if you are in perimenopause or menopause based on your age, symptoms and how often you have periods. Sometimes, health professionals carry out blood tests to ensure that there are no other issues (eg.an underactive thyroid) or to assess actual hormone blood levels in order to determine whether to increase your prescription dosages.
​
Falling levels of oestrogen can affect your bones, so younger women may also be recommended to have a bone density test (called a DEXA scan) to determine the strength of their bones. DEXA scans can be difficult to access on the NHS – done privately, they cost less than £350.
Currently, the NHS does not prescribe Androfemme (the female form of testosterone) but this may change soon.
How can Menopause Yoga help me?
​
Yoga, breathwork and meditation can improve the main symptoms of the menopause, including sleep disturbances, fatigue, hot flushes, low mood, anxiety, muscle tone and bone density.
Synchronising the movements with the breath encourages us to live in the present moment and observe our thoughts and physical sensations as a witness. In this way, we become aware that we are not our body, feelings, emotions – we are so much more.
With Menopause Yoga, you will be encouraged to see the menopause as a positive opportunity for self-study, self-awareness and, most importantly, self-care.
Menopause Yoga (MY) is based on hatha yoga but incorporates vinyasa flow movements, restorative yoga, yoga nidra and elements of yin yoga. The practice works to reduce stress, cool hot emotions, reduce sensory overload, build bone and muscle strength, balance and mental resilience.
The yoga movements differ depending on which phase of the menopause you are going through.
In addition to regular workshops where you can connect with other women (online or in-person), I also offer wonderful private 1-2-1 sessions in my bright loft studio in East Twickenham, TW1.
It’s time to recognise the menopause as a time to slow down and transform our lives for the better.