Perimenopause. How the hell did i get here?

Written By Alan Weatherill
 

I’ll tell you, it just creeps up on you, once you are receiving support and understand that it's menopause you realise that you weren’t crazy after all.
The trouble is you really need to dig for accurate information and find a really understanding Doctor.

I’ve had friends go into their GP explaining symptoms telling them that they think it could be perimenopause and still being signposted towards antidepressants. 40, too young apparently! Menopause affects 51% of the population. It's so frustrating at the lack of information.

 
 

There is no magic test to identify perimenopause, blood tests are not effective as hormones wildly fluctuate. A scientist friend of mine is currently working on making a test that uses the vaginal microbiome to detect changes in hormone levels, hopefully this will be more accurate.

Just a small fluctuation in our oestrogen, testosterone and progesterone hormone levels can really mess us up and cause debilitating side effects.

There are so many symptoms, and we’re all different. I thought I had some kind of dementia or a horrible disease. I realised I needed help after head-butting the wall in a rage. Looking back, so many things weren’t right, really heavy periods for weeks, I felt completely overwhelmed with daily life, exhausted, vulnerable, not sleeping which affects everything, I became distant from my partner, brain fog, rage and extra smelly armpits!

With my training I never felt fresh, I was always tired with no desire to ride a bike, I felt weak and pretty crap for a good 12 months, I put it down to getting older.

I’m lucky my GP is awesome and straight away she said lets try you on a HRT patch, i can honestly say it has changed my life! In 2 weeks I was getting back to me again and then realised things over the past 2 years had been getting worse. HRT isn’t for everyone and there are other options out there, don’t give in and keep searching until you find what works for you.

There is so little research into menopause especially in the sporting world. I read and grasp bits of information here and there. Things I do differently now.

Nail the basics:
Sleep
Nutrition
Recovery

I prioritise strength sessions, at least twice a week. We are at risk of osteoporosis as we hit perimenopause and the downward shift in hormones basically makes it hard for us to maintain muscle too.

•Lift heavy sh*t.
•Include plyometrics in the session.
•Eat more protein evenly throughout the day.

My advice would be don’t battle on, if you think something isn’t right it isn’t, don’t waste 2 years of your life like i did before i got help. Body composition, fueling and recovery requirements are going to change, embrace it, don’t fall into the vicious cycle of panic diets and adding more and more volume to your training. Surround yourselves with supportive people, talk about it! and be kind to yourself, you're not going mad.

 
Alan Weatherill
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