Answers (4)
2
I agree with Nancy. I've been studying the menopausal transition for years and am currently conducting a research study on how physical activity may impact quality of life in throughout the menopausal transition as the final part/dissertation of my PhD studies.
I think it is crucial for fitness professionals that work with women ages 38-55 to know what menopause is and how it can impact their lives tremendously. Exercise has been shown to alleviate some symptoms but there is much more to the equation than just diet and exercise and i find it a little naive to say that as long as you work out and eat right, you'll be fine.
That might not be the case but if, as a fitness professional, you are aware what is going on with a menopausal client's body, you might be able to educate her and help her transition in more ways than just exercise prescription. Knowing what's going on might be a big relief to the client even if her symptoms remain present. Some of my clients have thanked me for all the information I was able to give them because at least now "they didn't feel like they were going crazy or being irrational".
I think it is crucial for fitness professionals that work with women ages 38-55 to know what menopause is and how it can impact their lives tremendously. Exercise has been shown to alleviate some symptoms but there is much more to the equation than just diet and exercise and i find it a little naive to say that as long as you work out and eat right, you'll be fine.
That might not be the case but if, as a fitness professional, you are aware what is going on with a menopausal client's body, you might be able to educate her and help her transition in more ways than just exercise prescription. Knowing what's going on might be a big relief to the client even if her symptoms remain present. Some of my clients have thanked me for all the information I was able to give them because at least now "they didn't feel like they were going crazy or being irrational".
1
Hi, I'm a Trainer! I work with Peri & Menopausal women. It is my professional opinion that Peri-Menopausal symptoms can be managed and tolerated with consistent exercise and disciplined nutrition programs. HRT treatments are derived from herbs any way. I recommend Bikram Yoga. & other forms of Yoga to teach women how to breathe & relax through the sudden temperature changes. I also jokingly tell my clients, "On the brighter side, with hot flashes and night sweats you're ultimately burning calories!". Chasteberry is one of the best herbal supplements on the market for peri-menopausal symptoms. Honorable mention goes to Damiana for better arousal and SamE for mood swings.
1
Let us be clear not all HRT is derived from herbs some comes from horse urine.
Exercise, if you do reading on peri or menopausal women, may help to relieve symptoms. As you know everyone is an individual and what works for me or you may not work for another female. However your class is a valuable alternative for women looking to manage changes in their bodies without meds, and they get the potential benefits of lower lipid levels, lower blood glucose levels, lower PB and higher self confidence.
Exercise, if you do reading on peri or menopausal women, may help to relieve symptoms. As you know everyone is an individual and what works for me or you may not work for another female. However your class is a valuable alternative for women looking to manage changes in their bodies without meds, and they get the potential benefits of lower lipid levels, lower blood glucose levels, lower PB and higher self confidence.
1
I'm a peri menopausal woman (had a hysterectomy and kept my ovaries due to cancer 10 years ago) and I'm an instructor.
I don't think there is a one-size fits all answer on any of this.
I spent a year changing my diet just so I could lose weight and I barely noticed the symptoms. Then out of the blue, they slammed me like a ton of bricks. I was a mess and I finally relented and got an estrogen patch and I have to say it was the best decision I made for me.
I didn't realize how low my energy was and how my classes and therefore my students were paying the price for my perimenopause symptoms.
I'm back to "normal" and I think if you're going to take on trying to wean people off, my one tip would be to be considerate of those who won't or don't want to give up their HRT. We all have different reasons for going on it and staying on it and the worst thing I find are people who are critical of my decision because they don't agree with it.
Give people information and if they have any doubts in their mind about their continued use of HRT, they'll seek you out.
Also, be mindful of women who may not know they're in perimenopause because they're fantastic to talk to about what can help them. They're not usually willing to dive into HRT. I have quite a few women in my early a.m. class that are my age and I've spoken to them about some health symptoms they have and it never dawned on them that they were in perimenopause. I never even talk about my little patch unless someone asks me about HRT.
There are so many more symptoms than hot flashes: heart palpitations that take you by surprise; headaches; fuzzy thinking (I thought I was having a stroke!), not sleeping, being extremely moody ( I lost all patience for anyone or anything and am surprised the general populace still talks to me), lack of libido, vaginal dryness, pain during intercourse, cholesterol levels can change, loss of bone density.
I am happy to say I lowered my patch dose this week and so far so good.
I don't think there is a one-size fits all answer on any of this.
I spent a year changing my diet just so I could lose weight and I barely noticed the symptoms. Then out of the blue, they slammed me like a ton of bricks. I was a mess and I finally relented and got an estrogen patch and I have to say it was the best decision I made for me.
I didn't realize how low my energy was and how my classes and therefore my students were paying the price for my perimenopause symptoms.
I'm back to "normal" and I think if you're going to take on trying to wean people off, my one tip would be to be considerate of those who won't or don't want to give up their HRT. We all have different reasons for going on it and staying on it and the worst thing I find are people who are critical of my decision because they don't agree with it.
Give people information and if they have any doubts in their mind about their continued use of HRT, they'll seek you out.
Also, be mindful of women who may not know they're in perimenopause because they're fantastic to talk to about what can help them. They're not usually willing to dive into HRT. I have quite a few women in my early a.m. class that are my age and I've spoken to them about some health symptoms they have and it never dawned on them that they were in perimenopause. I never even talk about my little patch unless someone asks me about HRT.
There are so many more symptoms than hot flashes: heart palpitations that take you by surprise; headaches; fuzzy thinking (I thought I was having a stroke!), not sleeping, being extremely moody ( I lost all patience for anyone or anything and am surprised the general populace still talks to me), lack of libido, vaginal dryness, pain during intercourse, cholesterol levels can change, loss of bone density.
I am happy to say I lowered my patch dose this week and so far so good.
