Menopause Therapy
Feeling overwhelmed?
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the physical and emotional changes that come with perimenopause and menopause?
Are you struggling to cope with symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances?
I offer therapy, counselling and coaching to help women navigate the challenges of perimenopause and menopause. I provide a safe and supportive environment to explore your personal experience and work together to help you find a toolkit of resources to help you manage this transition.
I understand that perimenopause and menopause can be a difficult and confusing time, and that no two women experience these changes in the same way.
That’s why I offer one to one therapy and coaching sessions tailored to your unique needs and desired outcomes. In the sessions we will work together to develop your personalised perimenopause/menopause toolbox, combined with a deeper dive to address turbulent feelings and wider life challenges such as relationships, past trauma and plans for the future.
My approach is focused on helping you to manage and move through your symptoms, build resilience, and ultimately even thrive during this transitional phase.
Through my menopause counselling and therapy service, I can offer suggestions for practical coping strategies, stress management techniques, and self-care practices that will help you feel better and stay healthy.
Don’t let perimenopause and menopause hold you back from living your best life. I want to help you feel more empowered, confident, and in control of your health and well-being.
Awareness, Acceptance and Action
I work with a model of change based on awareness, acceptance and action:
The information below is provided in the spirit of starting you on this journey of awareness, acceptance and potential action.
What is Menopause?
Menopause is the time when a woman’s menstrual cycle stops, marking the end of her reproductive years. The ovaries, which produce eggs and hormones, gradually decrease their production of hormones, resulting in a decrease in oestrogen and progesterone levels. This decrease in hormone levels can cause a range of symptoms, including hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and mood swings.
Menopause is typically diagnosed after a woman has gone without a period for 12 consecutive months. Technically it is just one day: the day 12 months after your last period. After this, women become post-menopausal.
The following video from the British Menopause Society gives a more detailed overview that is worth watching too:
What is Perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the period of time leading up to menopause when the ovaries begin to decrease their production of hormones. During this time, your menstrual cycle may become irregular, and you may experience symptoms similar to menopause, such as hot flashes and mood swings. Perimenopause can last anywhere from a few months to several years and usually starts around the age of 45.
The average age for starting perimenopause in the UK is around 45 years old, with menopause typically occurring between the ages of 50 and 52.
However, it is important to note that every woman’s experience is unique, and some women may start perimenopause earlier or later than this range.
It is estimated that approximately13 million people are experiencing perimenopause right now.
Symptoms of Perimenopause
Perimenopause can be a challenging time for many as they experience a range of symptoms that can impact their daily lives. Here are some of the most common symptoms of perimenopause:
- Irregular periods: As the ovaries begin to decrease their hormone production, a woman’s menstrual cycle may become irregular, with periods becoming shorter or longer than usual.
- Hot flushes: Hot flushes are a sudden feeling of warmth that can cause sweating and a rapid heartbeat. They can last from a few seconds to several minutes and can be triggered by a range of factors, such as stress, caffeine, and alcohol.
- Vaginal dryness: As oestrogen levels decrease, the vaginal walls can become thin and dry, causing discomfort during sexual activity and an increased risk of urinary tract infections.
- Mood swings: Changes in hormone levels can impact a woman’s mood, leading to irritability, anxiety, and depression.
- Insomnia: Difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep can be a common symptom of perimenopause, as hot flashes and night sweats can disrupt sleep patterns.
Full list of symptoms
Perimenopause symptoms are the result of hormone fluctuations in oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and cortisol and can include:
Physical symptoms
- Irregular periods
- Heavy or prolonged periods
- Light or skipped periods
- Hot flushes and night sweats
- Cold flushes
- Fatigue
- Insomnia or sleep disturbances
- Headaches
- Joint pain or stiffness
- Heart palpitations
- Decreased libido
- Vaginal dryness
- Bladder changes or incontinence
- Digestive issues, including bloating, gas, and constipation
- Alcohol and/or food intolerance
- Cholesterol sensitivity
- New allergies
Emotional and psychological symptoms
- Mood swings
- Anxiety and/or panic attacks
- Brain fog
- Depression or feelings of sadness and hopelessness
- Increased sense of danger, doom, and dread
- Mania or acting out
- Rage or irritability
- Increased body awareness and attunement (e.g. heightened “bs detector”)
- Loss of confidence or self-esteem
- Grief and loss
- Shame
- Unresolved and resurfacing trauma
- Changes in identity and/or sense of self
Other symptoms
- Adrenal issues
- Skin changes, including dryness and thinning
- Hair changes, including thinning or loss
- Changes in weight and body shape
- Changes in vision or hearing
- Cognitive changes, including forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating
- Changes in sexual function and/or desire
It’s important to note that not everyone will experience all of these symptoms, and some may experience no symptoms at all. Every woman’s experience of perimenopause is unique.
Turbulent Feelings
Perimenopause or Menopause can also be a turbulent time emotionally. You might be feeling:
- Greater anxiety and increased sensitivity generally
- Feelings of overwhelm and burn out
- Feelings of being out of control, going crazy, and sometime suicidal
- A strong feeling of having had ENOUGH!
- A feeling of less resilience, with old ways and patterns of being and behaving no longer working
- A reluctance to change and increased passivity
- A new power struggle in close relationships
- A desire to end / change relationships and existing life circumstances (such as jobs)
Benefits of Therapy during Perimenopause & Menopause
Therapy can be incredibly beneficial for women during perimenopause, as it can provide a safe and supportive environment to navigate the physical and emotional changes that occur during this transitional phase.
Some potential benefits of therapy during perimenopause include:
1. Managing symptoms of depression and anxiety: Therapy can help you develop a series of coping skills and strategies to manage these symptoms.
2. Addressing relationship challenges: Perimenopause can affect your relationships with partners, family members, and friends. Therapy can help you communicate your needs and feelings effectively and address any challenges in these relationships.
3. Coping with physical changes: Perimenopause can cause physical symptoms such as hot flashes, insomnia, and weight gain. Therapy can help women develop strategies to cope with these changes and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
4. Exploring new life goals: As you transition out of your reproductive years, you may be re-evaluating your goals and priorities. Therapy can help you explore new interests and goals, and make plans for the future.
5. Building resilience: Perimenopause can be a challenging time, but therapy can help you build resilience and develop the skills to manage stress and cope with change.
Therapy can be an important part of your toolbox during perimenopause and menopause to help support your mental health and well-being. It can provide a space for you to explore your thoughts and feelings, develop coping strategies, and build resilience during this transitional phase.