As One Door Closes
We’re all familiar with the expression, “When one door closes, another opens.” We typically think of it as it relates to a job, relationship, or perhaps not getting into your first-choice school. Rarely do we think of transitional phases of life like perimenopause and menopause as being an opportunity. We tend to view menopause as a marked end of our youth and vitality. Instead, perimenopause and menopause are a time when nature closes the door to some aspects of being a woman while opening the door to other aspects of womanhood. Perimenopause and menopause can be an amazing time in our lives! We get to rediscover ourselves and our interests, revel in the wisdom we’ve gained, and luxuriate in taking better care of ourselves in every area of our lives, including taking better care of our health.
Perimenopause vs. Menopause
Perimenopause is also referred to as the menopausal transition. It’s the time preceding menopause, with many of the same associated symptoms. Hormonal changes can cause:
- Mood swings or irritability
- Depression
- Irregular periods
- Night sweats
- Difficulty sleeping
- Discomfort during sex caused by vaginal dryness
- An increased risk of vaginal infections and UTIs
However unlikely, a pregnancy may still occur during perimenopause.
Perimenopause ends and a woman is considered menopausal when she hasn’t had a period for twelve consecutive months. A menopausal woman may experience the same symptoms as they did while they were in perimenopause except menstruation.
Menopause creates other health concerns, including:
- Loss of bone density
- Weight gain
- Decreasing estrogen levels
- Difficulty with cognitive function
- Mental health changes
- Sleep disturbances
When your body changes, lifestyle changes are imperative so you continue to thrive and live the most productive, happy life possible. Eating well, creating a community around you, and enjoying the outdoors can be part of a healthy lifestyle. Exercise can, too, but some kinds of exercise are more beneficial than others for perimenopausal and menopausal women.
Strength Training During Perimenopause and Menopause
The reality is that our bodies change during perimenopause and menopause. While those changes are inevitable, their impact on your overall wellness can be mitigated and your health can be improved. Strength training has proven to be very effective in maintaining and improving your health and longevity during perimenopause, menopause, and beyond. In its simplest terms, strength training is using your body’s own weight or equipment like resistance bands or weights to improve your strength and increase your muscle mass.
Strength training is highly beneficial for women in any phase of menopause because it:
- Counteracts muscle loss and weight gain by preserving lean muscle mass, which burns more calories even when you’re at rest.
- Improves bone density and reduces osteoporosis risk by stimulating bone formation and strengthening the skeletal system.
- Enhances mental health and reduces stress by releasing endorphins and serving as a form of mindfulness.
- Improves sleep quality by balancing hormones and reducing stress, and because the exertion associated with it can lead to a deeper and more restorative sleep.
- Boosts energy levels because daily activities become easier and less tiring, and the improvement in cardiovascular health contributes to overall vitality and energy.
HEBE Aesthetics and Vitality
HEBE Aesthetics and Vitality in Atlanta, GA recommends strength training as one part of a multi-pronged strategy to manage perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause. We can help you design a program that includes hormonal supplementation, weight management, and strength training so you can live well for a very long time.
Disclaimer: The information contained here was not written by a medical doctor and is intended for informational purposes only. This is not a substitute for medical advice.
