There’s a popular perception that menopause just arrives; but in reality you will probably get several years of warning that its coming soon. If you want to influence how good your body looks and feels after menopause, this is your last chance; it will be much more challenging after the end of your fertile years, when your estrogen levels have dropped.

The ‘perimenopausal’ time of a woman’s life can last for several months or years. It’s the time when your hormonal regulation systems can get a little ‘wobbly’. Progesterone levels can drop, resulting in more intensive pre-menstrual tension and mood swings as estrogen temporarily gets the upper hand. Your periods may become more painful. Every woman is different, so your particular symptoms may vary from these.

But the underlying message you can feel is that your hormonal balance is shifting and waning. Menopause is on its way – and with it the possibility of symptoms such as hot flushes, dizziness, mood swings, more wrinkly skin, and a tendency to gain weight and lose shape.

As you get closer to menopause, your body’s levels of FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) will rise, and this is a good way to measure how your fertility is waning. FSH is a hormone produced by your pituitary gland that tells your ovaries to produce eggs. When your ovaries don't co-operate and release eggs for fertilising, your pituitary just shouts the message louder - it thinks your ovaries just aren't paying attention, when in fact they've stopped producing eggs. Ask your doctor for a hormone profile blood test  that includes when you see her for your annual physical and pap smear.

The decline in your oestrogen levels after menopause makes it more challenging to keep your body toned, bones strong and skin supple. (Estrogen promotes the formation of muscle and a feminine shape, as well as bone formation). But there are actions you can take now to help keep your shape and femininity.

The first step you need to take, if you aren’t already, is to begin weight training, and keep training, even after menopause. Engage a personal trainer for the best results. You won’t turn into a muscle-bound strongwoman, but you will develop a higher ratio of muscle to fat. This will help you maintain your weight and your shape. The gentle pressure this puts on your bones will help prevent osteoporosis too.

Having a rigorous training regime in place will help you now, but will also help minimise the symptoms of menopause. One of the major therapies I use to combat menopausal symptoms in my clients is......exercise! It really makes a positive difference.

Check that your diet is high in vegetables, particularly green leafy vegetables, and lean protein from seafood and kangaroo. A little legumes in your diet every day is good too. Continue to avoid consuming extra cakes and biscuits. This is no time to become a granny who keeps sweet treats in the pantry "for the grandkids". (They won't do well on biccies either).

Natural remedies are available to help keep your hormones more stable during your perimenopause, after you've done testing to find out where your hormones are actually at.

Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Permalink |  
Subscribe to RSS Feeds   | Subscribe to Email Updates

For some women, oestrogen can dominate their lives. Although its responsible for a lot of good bodily effects, it can also create havoc when it gets out of control. But there are easy steps you can take to keep your hormones in order.

In women, oestrogen is a 'feminine youth' hormone. Oestrogen is what gives you feminine shape and form; youthful skin, strong bones. It even promotes the growth of skeletal muscle. But the full effects of what oestrogen had been doing for you doesn't become evident until after menopause, when your oestrogen levels naturally fall.

Then, your bones may become more brittle as oestrogen isn't promoting the formation of new bone cells (unless you're stimulating their growth with weight-bearing exercise). Your muscles may shrink (unless you're deliberately stimulating their growth with resistance training exercise). Your skin may become dry too.

During your fertile years, too much oestrogen can cause problems as well. Oestrogen promotes the movement of fluid into tissues, which is why some women report feeling 'bloated' just before their period. Excessive oestrogen can also bring on mood swings. This is where 'pre menstrual syndrome' comes from.

There are actually different types of oestrogen: E1(oestrone) and E2 (oestradiol). The third type of oestrogen, E3 (oestriol) occurs as a result of the first two oestrogens. Each type of oestrogen has different effects, and can cause different problems when out of balance. When assessing your hormones, the balance between these three varieties, as well as your progesterone and testosterone levels is just as important. Assessing balance as well as absolute amounts is the key.

There are some very natural ways to promote a healthy oestrogen balance in your body.

1. The most important? Fitness. Exercise automatically balances your body systems, including your hormones. If you're feeling 'hormonal' and moody, one of the best things you can do for yourself is head out for some vigorous exercise. After middle age, regular resistance training is essential to promote growth of your skeletal muscle. This will not only help you look more toned, but will keep your metabolism running faster too – now its easier to maintain your weight.

2. A high fibre diet is another key strategy. Flaxseed (linseed) is a great fibre supplement, as it contains lignans, a natural substance that will help your body balance hormones. Legumes are a girls best friend when it comes to fibre supplements, as they're a complex carbohydrate packed with vitamins and minerals. Leafy green vegetables and a little soy will provide a phyto-estrogenic boost.

3. Taking time out for yourself is the third strategy. Why? Because stress will very effectively disrupt anyone's hormones. A gentle walk in nature, or meditation, is an effective way to help reduce your stress levels. We all have stressors in our lives – its how we deal with them that will make the difference for you.

When balancing your hormones, its 'back to the basics' first. If you're exercising, eating a high fibre diet and engaging stress reduction strategies, and your hormones still aren't in balance, mother nature has herbs, homoeopathics and nutritional remedies to help bring everything gently back into balance.

Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Permalink |  
Subscribe to RSS Feeds   | Subscribe to Email Updates