Menopause - NewLifeOutlook

When I was young, I didn’t give much thought to menopause or how it might make me feel psychologically. I just shrugged it off as just another stage of life.

I was certainly not prepared for the feelings of grief and sadness that overwhelmed me when my doctor confirmed I was menopausal after performing a blood test measuring my Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) levels.

I went on to feel a range of emotions as the time went on including anger, anxiety, and mood swings.

Grace and Frankie and the Representation of Menopause

This isn’t going to be your typical Grace and Frankie review. Don’t you just love it when you discover a new TV series? Getting to know new characters, learning who you love and who you love to hate? Sometimes you even find a storyline or character resonates with your own life.

I recently discovered Netflix’s Grace and Frankie. I know — late to the party right?

Knowing Your Body With Menopause

There’s not often much to laugh about when you are talking about menopause but I have to share this story with you.

I had been struggling with what I will coyly describe as my “love life.” My husband of almost 25 years knows me quite literally inside and out and even he had noticed something wasn’t quite right down below.

I gritted my teeth for a while then agreed to see a doctor about what felt like an obstruction inside. Internet browsing revealed my symptoms could mean I had a menopause-related vaginal prolapse.

My usual doctor wasn’t in when I arrived for my appointment and her temporary replacement obviously didn’t know my circumstances.

Predictably she wanted to examine me but luckily I had gone prepared wearing a loose skirt and “car accident” underwear. (The sort you hope you are wearing instead of greying mom-underwear if you ever have a car accident and have to be taken to hospital.)

She told me she couldn’t see anything amiss and concluded the pain was probably just nervous tension. She asked if I had a new partner (maybe because of the nice underwear?) and seemed surprised when I laughed. I left chuckling and quite happy that she thought I could attract a new fella with my wrinkles, scars and more children than most.

Anyway, a subsequent exam by another doctor revealed I had indeed got a minor prolapse which was treated by hormone pessaries so you’ll be glad (or not) to hear that normal service in the bedroom has resumed.

Foods to Include in Your Diet for Menopause Management

I like the idea of using food to manage menopause and this article has some very sensible and original methods of targeting specific issues as well as more obvious advice for general good health.

I found the section about Phytoestrogens (found in some plants and said to mimic the effect of estrogen in the body) particularly interesting. I love a rhubarb crumble and hadn’t realized that rhubarb is one of the plants containing phystoestrogens. Green beans do too which is fantastic as they are great eaten both hot with a main meal or cold as part of a salad.

I was interested in the idea of moving away from the traditional “meat, carb and vegetable” format for meals. The author suggests “ making plants your base” starting with vegetables rather than using them as accessories.

I’m still not convinced by the idea of snacking on seeds and nuts. I wish I liked them but I really don’t. I am happy to see that fish is still considered good for the heart as I love it. I just have to remember not to always choose it battered with a pile of fries!

It’s very sensible of the author to suggest that completely changing your diet all in one go is unrealistic if you want sustained success. I think I might try changing one thing a week. I’ve already switched to smaller plates but am intrigued by the suggestion that blue plates can curb my appetite. Definitely a tip to try!