Menopause has generally been tough for some women because our hormones shift and our body changes.
I’d like to present a different way of thinking about menopause that might make it more bearable if we see it in a different way.
I personally don’t name this stage of change as menopause anymore, but rather adrenopause.
This is because once we move passed child-bearing age, our ovaries stop producing most of our reproductive hormones. Instead, our adrenal glands take over the job. So if this is the case then surely our focus should shift away from helping our hormones to helping our adrenals?
Our adrenal glands are pretty amazing in their own right. They are like the power station for the body and they actually keep us alive! They're like our own personal bodyguards, battling stress on our behalf.
All of these stresses, whether emotional, physical, or things we eat and environmental toxins - they are all work for the adrenal glands.
If the adrenals are already working hard to keep up with all the above, it means that when it’s time for them to take on the extra function of making those important reproductive hormones - they can’t.
So when we have hot flushes, night sweats, palpitations etc, that in effect is your adrenals trying to CREATE energy (heat) to meet the demand!!
Here’s the thing: reproductive hormones are important. They affect our mood, bones, muscles, digestion, and so much more. They aren’t there just for menstruation and pregnancy!
While reproductive hormones play a vital role in our well-being, they are not as crucial as the energy hormones - cortisol, adrenaline, and insulin, which are essential for our survival.
It's important to recognise that our adrenal glands prioritise these energy hormones over reproductive hormones. . Drawing an analogy to a power station, where essential services like hospitals receive priority, our adrenals prioritise cortisol, adrenaline, and insulin. This shift in focus highlights the necessity of supporting and caring for our adrenal glands as a first priority.
To promote the health of our adrenal glands and optimise their function, consider the following steps:
💪Move away from the mindset that hormone therapy is the only solution.
💪Acknowledge the need to eliminate the glorification of busyness and make changes to reduce stress in your lifestyle.
💪Prioritise adrenal-supportive habits: Daily practice nasal breathing, quality sleep, nutrient-dense eating, proper hydration, reduced intake of refined carbs and processed foods, moderation in alcohol consumption, prayer, forgiveness, exposure to sunlight, nurturing human connections, and reducing screen time.
💪Accept that it's okay to not do and be it all.
💪Optimise exercise routine: Instead of solely focusing on cardio workouts (which raise cortisol), incorporate working-in exercises like dynamic stretching, breathwork and resistance training. (HOW to train is SUCH an important and under-utilised tool).
💪Be mindful of not further elevating cortisol levels if they are already raised due to other factors. So “skipping” a run is not you being lazy if you never slept the night before, or you had a traumatic event within the day.
💪Consider natural supplements: Essential oils such as Bergamot and Lavender, along with herbs like Saffron, support adrenal health.
By shifting our perspective to adrenopause and recognising the vital role of our adrenal glands, we can prioritise their support and well-being during this transitional phase. Remember, the key lies in understanding and nurturing your adrenal glands as the power station that keeps your body alive and thriving.
Menopause has a connotation of a cray-cray woman out of control! Adrenopause -rather than menopause - brings a tremendous sense of relief to me because I can MANAGE and have a say to the changes and I can best reduce symptoms with adrenal care.
For some, this concept will be too hard because it will require daily effort and not constantly looking for the next quick fix.
May this concept bring you confidence that you’re not crazy, and may it strengthen you to fully enjoy this transformative process because you’re enabled with a good mindset and effective tools.