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Have you ever found yourself thinking, “I’m okay, but why do I feel so… off?”. Maybe you’re more irritable lately, or you’re waking up exhausted no matter how much you sleep. If you’re in your late 30s, 40s, or 50s, you aren’t just “losing it”, you might be entering a completely normal, yet often misunderstood, phase of life called menopause. Given there is no fixed age to reach the menopause stage, women often don’t even realise what is happening to them and are often simply considered ‘dramatic.’ It’s time (yes!) to have a serious conversation about menopause- to help a woman understand herself better, and her loved ones to be more considerate towards her during this sensitive phase.
With this in mind, the Good Vibe Show invited wellness coach, Swati Singh, to share some eye-opening insights that every woman (and the people who love them!) need to hear. Let’s break down the mystery and talk about how to thrive, not just survive in this phase of life.
What Exactly Is Menopause?
In simple terms, you have officially hit menopause when you haven’t had a period for 12 consecutive months. After that day, everything else is considered “post-menopausal”. During this time, your ovaries stop producing eggs, your fertility ends, and your estrogen levels drop significantly, leading to inflammation throughout your body- from the brain till your toe.
The “Sneaky” Phase: Perimenopause
Where symptoms vary and confusion rises.
This is where most of the confusion happens. Perimenopause is the transition phase before menopause, and it can last anywhere from four months to a staggering ten years. Since the age range is so wide, starting as early as 35 or 40 for some, many women don’t realize their symptoms are hormonal. They are told they are “too young,” which only adds to the frustration. Wait, there is more- the symptoms in every woman are different, and no 2 women will feel the same thing during this phase.
This makes it extremely difficult for women to understand what they are going through and lack of awareness intensifies the confusion.
It’s Way More Than Just Hot Flashes
There is a massive myth that menopause is just about hot flashes. In reality, the drop in estrogen affects your body from “tip to toe”, that impacts everyday life. There is irritation, inflammation, pain & everything else-
The Brain: Anxiety, “brain fog,” confusion, and extreme irritability or rage.
The Body: Joint and muscular pain, fatigue, vertigo, and changes in blood pressure or blood sugar.
The “Unexpected” Changes: Weight gain (especially belly fat), hair loss, and a decrease in sexual desire.
The Relationship Reality Check
Menopause can cause serious disruption both within and outside the body- Did you know that 70% of divorces occur between the ages of 45 and 55? Much of this is due to a lack of awareness about how menopause affects a woman’s behavior and health!
Partners often mistake a woman’s physical pain or irritability for a lack of compatibility. If a husband doesn’t understand that his wife’s sudden rage or sleeplessness is a physiological change, distances grow. The key is for couples to handle this together- talk openly, seek medical advice as a team, and remember that these changes are health-related, not personal.
How to keep your body healthy and safe during these phases?
While menopause is inevitable, suffering is not. Dietary changes during perimenopause and lifestyle changes post menopause can help you stay healthy and active. Here are a few quick ways to keep your body going!
- Fix Your Fuel
Perimenopause causes inflammation and during this phase diets play a huge role. Here are a few quick suggestions –
Cutting Sugar and Carbs: Sugar causes inflammation and lack of estrogen makes it worse.
Upping the Protein Intake: You need 20–25g of protein in every meal to fight bone and muscle loss. Add that protein to your every day meal!
Fiber is Key: Increasing your intake of greens and seeds keeps your gut microbiome healthy. A spoonful of Isabgol daily can be a lifesaver for gut health. (Please consult your doctor before starting isabgol in case you already have any gut/digestion issues).
- Protect Your Sleep
Sleep is your superpower. If you don’t sleep, your irritability will be sky high. Make it a priority to protect your rest fiercely.
- Move and Meditate
Incorporate yoga, meditation, and strength training. These habits keep your brain calm and your bones strong.
We are eventually going to go through these cycles- let’s work towards it and not fear it
As a woman, menopause is natural, and the more you understand how it works, the smoother it is to manage it. We need to stop the shame and talk about it! For too long, our mothers and grandmothers suffered in silence, but today, we have the information and the tools to be prepared and take care of ourselves. If you feel like your body is changing, don’t ignore it. Seek out a doctor who actually understands menopause (as many generalists may not) and get the help you deserve.
Have you or a loved one experienced any of these “sneaky” symptoms? Drop a comment below and share your thoughts! Let’s normalize this conversation together. If you found this helpful, send it to a friend, sister, or mother who might need a little “Good Vibe” boost today!.
