It was only when Davina McCall started talking about menopause that I started to realise I had a huge transition to go through, a journey I’d probably already started, that I was completely unprepared for. Before my periods began my Mum had told me what to expect, I’d discussed it with friends at length and we even had a nurse come into school to prepare us for what our bodies would be going through. I was ready! Of course, I knew about menopause, or ‘that time of life’ as it’s often referred to but I was clueless about when and how it could affect me. I lost my Mum a few years ago and I have no idea when she went through menopause, or what her experience of it was because despite an incredibly close and open relationship, it just wasn’t something we discussed and it wasn’t something I’d thought to ask.
I’m turning 46 next month and I am undoubtedly perimenopausal. I know this not because of a test, but because of my symptoms. Changes to menstruation, brain fog, fatigue, sleep disruption; as well as some more interesting symptoms such as dry eyes and sore gums. Anxiety has also reared its ugly head, unsurprisingly as this is extremely common with 1 in 3 women experiencing higher levels of anxiety when going through menopause.
It can be so easy to become swamped with menopause symptoms as they are so varied and so different for every woman. However, there is so much that can be done to support ourselves through this transition. A good diet, regular exercise and minimising stress can have a significant impact on a variety of symptoms. However, that can be easier said than done. We often know what we should be doing, but that doesn’t mean we’ll actually do it! Solution-focused hypnotherapy is so powerful for women going through menopause as it empowers them to take action to make themselves feel better. Menopause is often considered to be a negative time in a woman’s life, but it can be a positive experience. It’s a sign that we’re evolving. It can be the time that you finally start taking care of YOU.
If you’d like to learn how solution-focused hypnotherapy can support you to manage perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms then please book a free initial consultation.