What is Menopause?

Menopause is much more than the end of the reproductive cycle for a woman and the cessation of menstruation. It has implications on all aspects of life: physically, mentally and socially, that can last for several years.

• Perimenopause: It is the phase before menopause. This phase occurs in general in women between the ages of 45 and 55. The menstrual cycle becomes irregular due to the fluctuation of estrogen and progesterone levels. This triggers numerous uncomfortable symptoms, for example, hot flushes, insomnia, anxiety, fatigue, irritability, weight gain, mood swings and even depression. Some of the symptoms can start up to 3-5 years before menopause (last period) and end 6-8 years after the last menstruation.
• Menopause: the permanent end of menstruation.
• Post-menopause: this phase begins with the last menstruation. Whilst the symptoms related to low hormone levels might stop a few years after the last menstruation, for some women, there are hidden health problems that can appear without symptoms, such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, it is so important to maintain a good hormone level during this phase of a woman’s life. For example, the body’s own production of female hormones, like estrogen is crucial to ensure good bone density, to stimulate the production of collagen and promote younger looking skin.

Western World Medicine

Western world medicine tends to highlight all the negative aspects linked to menopause, such as the unpleasant symptoms and the associated risks of osteoporosis and cardiovascular illnesses.

Moreover, in our society women tend to have children later and later and they become mothers by the end of their thirties or even in their forties when the peri-menopause period starts, and on top of this, they are often in the middle of their professional careers. Their responsibilities increase and juggling with multi-tasking adds additional stress to women and intensifies the symptoms of perimenopause as stress is the N.1 enemy to hormone levels. Whilst in this period of their lives women should start to slow down and relax, their lifestyle is often extremely active. However, instead of slowing down and reducing the stress, women tend to add “extra oil to the fire” by doing high cardio activities which increase the heat in the body and intensify the symptoms of perimenopause.

Burnouts are unfortunately becoming quite common among women of 40+. There is actually a clear link between the lower hormone levels of the menopause transition, backed up with high stress levels and burnouts.

Traditional Eastern Medicines

In traditional Eastern medicines like TMC and Ayurveda, menopause has a positive connotation. It is referred to as a “Second Spring”, as a liberating stage when women can finally concentrate more on themselves and channel their energy to fulfill past dreams and plan future projects. In Eastern philosophies, women are advised to slow down and concentrate on activities like yoga, tai chi, qigong to reduce stress and to spend time in nature to fully enjoy the post-reproductive period. Menopausal women receive a lot of respect as they are considered a source of wisdom by their society.

Hormone Yoga Therapy is A Natural Treatment  

Hormone Yoga Therapy offers a holistic natural solution using only yoga exercises performed dynamically, along with breathing techniques specific to the stimulation of ovaries, thyroid, parathyroid, hypophysis and adrenal glands to reactivate the hormones produced by our own body. As it increases the estradiol level (a type of estrogen), it also helps in the prevention of osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases. It stimulates vitality, good health, and a positive attitude in order for a woman to fully enjoy this beautiful period of life when finally, she has more time for herself. Click the link below to see my Hormone Yoga Therapy program for women over 40!