What is MENOPAUSE?

Menopause is when a woman stops having periods for 12 consecutive months. It is a natural process of aging that occurs between 45 and 55 years old. The average age of women reaching menopause in UK is 51

DIFFERENT STAGES OF MENOPAUSE:

1. PERIMENOPAUSE

Hormone production decreases, menstrual periods become irregular and you become less fertile

Symptoms:

  • heavier or lighter periods than usual
  • less regular menstrual cycles
  • vasomotor symptoms (VMS): hot flushes, night sweats, and/or flushing

2. MENOPAUSE

Hormone production lowers which cause your periods to stop. The absence of periods for a full year is defined as being in menopause. This phase can last from 2 to 10 years, with most women averaging around 5 years. Menopause usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55, although it can happen earlier.

Symptoms:

  • hot flushes
  • uncontrollable weight gain (that often comes from nowhere- without a change in diet or eating more unhealthy foods)
  • vaginal dryness
  • restful and disturbed sleep (sometimes leading to insomnia)
  • tiredness and irritability
  • brain fog
  • melancholy, anxiety, attention deficits
  • diminished sexual desire or libido
  • dry mouth, eyes and skin
  • itchy skin
  • more frequent urination and urinary pain
  • sensitive or painful breast
  • reduced breast size
  • decreased bone mass
  • stiff or painful joints
  • loss or thinning of hair
  • brittle nails
  • more frequent headaches
  • urinary tract infections (UTIs)
  • faster beating heart
  • decreased muscle mass
  • more body hair growth, especially on the face, neck, chest, and upper back
  • no motivation

3. POSTMENOPAUSE

Postmenopause is the time after menopause, when you will no longer have periods and all hormonal changes have taken place. It lasts for the rest of your life. During this stage, menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, get milder or go away. Women in postmenopause are at an increased risk for osteoporosis, cancer, Alzheimer and heart disease.

CAUSES OF THE MENOPAUSE:

  • reduction in reproductive hormones with age
  • ovaries removed during surgery
  • Hysterectomy surgery
  • radiation treatment and chemotherapy
  • primary insufficiency of the ovaries

What is MENOPAUSE MASSAGE?

Menopause massage is a form of non-invasive, gentle and compassionate touch, which uses a light pressure, with slow and steady movements to help the body relax. It is a holistic based therapy, based on specialised massage treatments to help women manage both their physical and emotional reactions to menopause. During the session, along with the massage certain pressure points on the body will be stimulating to help relieve symptoms of the menopause.

Massage therapists are trained to understand their client own personal experience with menopause and apply a highly individualised massage treatment, to comfort, nurture and support them in their own journey.

BENEFITS of Treatment

Physical benefits:

  • decreased inflammation and swelling
  • improved circulation
  • reducing pain felt in sore muscles
  • lowering the level of stress hormones in the blood
  • better ability to tolerate HRT treatment side effects
  • improved sleep
  • fewer headaches
  • increased range of motion

Emotional Benefits:

  • helping women relax
  • providing a distracting experience that takes the mind off of symptoms that come with the menopause
  • reducing anxiety, stress, and depression
  • providing a sense of calm and serenity in what can be a very disruptive and uneasy time