This web site will help you with menopause (or mean-opause as we like to call it).
How do we know? Because we are in the middle of ours.
We’re not medics, but we know this: sometimes mean-opause is really really
uncomfortable.
So go see your doctor or naturopath (do what suits you and your circumstances), AND
get yourself a fan. One for every bag you own (and one for the loungeroom,
kitchen, bathroom, car etc). So you’ve got a little bit of assistance on hand
to get you through.
A Fan for Every Bag. Get some help. Get shopping. Get your fan for those moments when you need just a little bit of assistance (in meetings, sitting at your desk working, at Church, at parties, at interviews, at the gymkhana….any time you’re having that hot flush/flash and you need HELP).
And keep checking back on us (bookmark us now), for some lighthearted help and information and a good laugh, to ease the pain……
Love from
The girls at A Fan For Every Bag.
So what is menopause?
As English borrows from a multitude of languages, the word Menopause comes from the Greek words ‘menos’ meaning month and ‘pause’ meaning, well that’s obvious. So basically your monthly period is stopping.
What happens?
We (women) are born with over a million eggs in each ovary. At puberty, about 300,000 eggs are still in our bodies. By menopause, there are no eggs left.
On average a woman will have around 400-500 periods during her life, but from the
age of 35 years of age your egg numbers have diminished and you ovulate (release an egg from your ovary) less and less until your periods stop.
Hormones and how they affect menopause
Oestrogen
Oestrogen is made up of three hormones: oestradiol, oestrone and oestriol.
Oestrogen is the hormone that our bodies produce to regulate the activity of some of our organs. Your ovaries, liver, adrenal glands and boobs produce it. It’s production changes as you enter perimenopause where you can have a very high level of it due to ovulating twice in a cycle. It helps with muscle tone, uterus lining, cervix, breast ducts and it also protects bones. Oestrogen diminishes at menopause with the levels dropping by as much as 90%.
Progesterone
Progesterone is another natural female hormone which diminishes towards menopause – this happens because if an egg isn’t released then progesterone isn’t required, as it usually prepares the uterus for a fertilized egg. It is responsible for changes in mucus in the cervix and reduces acidity levels in the vagina amongst other things. A downside to less progesterone is heavy irregular bleeding.
Testosterone
Not just a male hormone, testosterone is an important female hormone which has a
role in women’s sexual desire and arousal, overall emotional wellbeing and bone
and muscle strength. It slowly decreases with age.
When does menopause start?
Mostly between the ages of 45-55, but this can vary. Some women can start in their late 30’s.
The phases of menopause
The seven dwarves of menopause
Itchy, bitchy, sweaty, sleepy, bloated, forgetful and psycho
But seriously, how do you know it’s happening?
Perimenopause
It’s starting.
You start to get tingling in the arms and a little bit warmer at night.
Menopause
You haven’t had a period for 12 months (yay!), but
you’ve had the dreaded hot flush/flash thing happening. Not yay.
Postmenopause
You haven’t had a period for over 12 months. It has its advantages.
Symptoms of menopause
Mmmm
– these are them:
· Hot flushes (buy a fan or ten)
· Mood changes (or is it just that you’re not as patient and they’re still doing the same irritating stuff?)
· Headaches
· Aches and pains (mmm – maybe it’s just you’re getting older)
· Forgetfulness (and there may be something else but I’ve forgotten)
So – there are things you can do to help:
· See your doctor or naturopath
· Stay off the booze
· Drink lots of water
· Buy a fan for every single bag and nook and cranny at home and at the office. Yes, they really help.