Have you read any of the rubbish about World Menopause Day?
Eg:
- Why not throw a Menopause Party?!
- This is like a worldwide birthday party for the big M!
- Help make the menopause taboo a thing of the past!
“Menopause party”??? Gee, sounds like *fun*. Will all the women there be unhappily menopausal? That’s one way to miss the point, online bloggers and journos!
The menopause “taboo” IS a thing of the past. We’re a lot more enlightened these days. Ads on TV openly talk about women’s issues. Period pain, bladder leakage, etc, etc.
So what’s the point of World Menopause Day? (“WMP”).
Well, I’m glad you asked.
There are several purposes, and they’re good ones:
- It’s about not suffering in silence.
- It’s about seeking help.
- It’s about letting women know real solutions do exist (not just the dreaded HRT, as I always point out). So that they CAN feel better.
WEIGHT GAIN – Solutions!
And this year, there’s a theme to WMP. It’s about how to avoid and address weight gain at menopause.
As the poster below points out, there are some serious health issues associated with menopause and growing a little older. But there are solutions – read on below the poster.
There are a number of causes of weight gain which can be addressed. It doesn’t have to be as hard as going to the gym. (God, when was the last time I went to the gym?? I think Bob Hawke was PM!):
- Hormones (insufficient progesterone)
- Lower metabolism
- Excess portions and our food expectations
- Reduced need for food energy
- Timing of meals
Diminished levels of hormones directly affect the brain’s hypothalamus, which amongst other things is responsible for controlling your appetite. It likewise affects women’s sleep cycles, sex hormones, and body temperature. That’s why aging Western women experience frequent hormonal roller-coaster rides of hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disruption and mood swings.
At least today women in their 50s are still highly active (or you’re supposed to be active!) and still at work in most cases. So we are revolting against the idea of being hot and sticky while our younger colleagues are cool-as. Solutions are being sought everywhere, and the more natural the better.
So let’s give three cheers for World Menopause Day and let’s get action happening to get relief from the symptoms, in the best possible way, naturally!!
Blessings
Maura
