I’ve just had an email from Margaret in the United Kingdom – it’s not the first time I’ve heard this comment and I know it won’t be the last.Â
“I started the peri menopause when I was 38 and went into full blown menopause at 41. I came off HRT as I felt it wasn’t doing anything, but am getting quite a few symptoms now. I’m in my early 50’s, so I would be interested to know your thoughts on this.”Â
When I replied to Margaret, I explained that if she was now in her early 50’s, then she is now in ‘real menopause’ because she is ageing. Menopause heralds in the next phase of our life – our ageing years. As such, there are changes that occur all around our body, from our brain, to our heart, liver, gut, muscles, joints and most of all, our blood vessels. All of our organs are ageing and changing, so even though women’s periods might cease at an early age, they haven’t reached the part of their life course, whereby, their cells and tissues are ageing. Oestrogen is invo;ved omÂ
As our cells and tissues age, there are numerous changes to their ability to function, absorb and metabolise nutrients and more. Ageing is also a time when we can acquire inflammation. And whilst I explain why this is in my online Masterclass on Menopause, I also made this short 5 minute video for you. Not only so you could meet me ‘virtually’, but so you could hear what I have to say about menopause …. have a listen when you get time.
Thank you for being with me in the MyMTâą community. As a women’s health and ageing educator, I love you being here with me. Millions of women around the world have no idea that menopause isn’t ‘just’ about hot flushes. There is so much more than our ovaries that we need to focus on as we lose oestrogen and it’s these changes as part of our natural ageing that contribute to the real cause of our symptoms. Until I did my PhD on women’s health and ageing, I had no idea either. If you are as confused as I was with all my symptoms, I hope you can listen to this brief video sometime soon.Â
Wendy Sweet, PhD/ MyMTâą Founder & Coach/ Member: Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine. Â