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The Change

Last month I wro te abou t change per se This month I’m writing abou t The Change, o ther wise kno wn as menopause. I recently watched the f ilm, ‘Are you there God, it’s me Margaret’, based on a book by Judy Blume. I was struck by the excitement o f these young girls eagerly awaiting the arrival o f their periods. Their school had educated them abou t what to expect as their body’s prepared for womanhood.

Ho w different it is for women when their body’s mo ve to wards the end o f their periods A woman is in menopause after twelve consecu tive months withou t a period. Ho wever, there is a distinct lack o f education for women or medical pro fessionals (this is changing), abou t what to expect as they mo ve to wards menopause

The transitional period before menopause is called perimenopause As hormones play many roles in the functioning o f the body, there are many ways that the body may malfunction during perimenopause due to changing hormone levels This typically star ts in the for ties bu t can star t much earlier

There are many physical AND mental and emo tional changes that may occur during perimenopause. Women are as different when star ting their periods as when ending them. Some don’t struggle and some do whether physically, mentally or emo tionally

Physical changes may manifest around digestion, spatial awareness, weight gain, regulating body temperature, f requency and heaviness o f periods Mental and emo tional changes may present around brain fog, indecision, anxiety, reduced self-esteem/conf idence, depressed mood, sleeping issues, fatigue, irritability, mood swings, reduced tolerance for noise and a desire to withdraw socially

Arlesey W.I

Tuesday 11th July 7.30pm

Angela Tarbox - Declu tter your home.

First V isit Free Come and join a f riendly bunch for a chat, cuppa and something different!

We look for ward to welcoming you!

Arlesey W I Hall, High Street, Arlesey

As with all changes, the need to keep talking is paramount, especially to o ther women So too is seeking medical suppor t f rom someone kno wledgeable, willing to listen, believe and work with what you are experiencing and available.

Jo Loach is a BACP accredited Counsellor and Super visor, with an MA in Contemporar y Therapeu tic Counselling

Nor th Her ts Road Runners

Entries are no w open for the Standalone10k on 1st Oct. www standalone10k org uk The next 1st Sat o f the month 5k at Letchwor th Common will be 1st July at 9am. Entr y is f ree and open to all abilities

We continue our training sessions with qualif ied coaches on Tues. & Thurs evenings at 7pm. These are open to all, why no t come along for a taster session with no obligation Contact Ian