Fighting the Impact of Perimenopause and Menopause - 407

Perimenopause

Chalene Johnson shares her personal journey with perimenopause, highlighting the often-overlooked symptoms and duration of this transitional phase. Perimenopause can last between seven to fifteen years before a woman's last menstrual cycle, causing symptoms like mood swings, brain fog, and hormonal imbalances 1. Chalene emphasizes the importance of proactive lifestyle and nutrition choices to manage these symptoms effectively 2.

Perimenopause can drag on and be far more symptomatic and uncomfortable than it needs to be, and that you actually can assert a great deal of control by changing your lifestyle and nutrition.

--- Chalene Johnson

She encourages listeners to understand their bodies and take control of their health during this phase.

   

Hormonal Balance

Hormonal imbalances during perimenopause result from a natural decline in sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone. Chalene explains that this decline is normal but can be managed through natural methods such as strength training and fasting, which help increase human growth hormone production 3. She also discusses the role of stress hormones like cortisol, which can exacerbate symptoms when adrenal glands take over hormone production 4.

As you begin to diminish the function of your ovaries, which are responsible for sex hormone production, well, what happens as we begin to produce fewer sex hormones?

--- Chalene Johnson

By balancing hormones naturally, women can mitigate the physical and emotional challenges of perimenopause.

   

Diet Myths

Chalene addresses common myths surrounding hormone treatments and menopause, particularly regarding fasting and diets. She clarifies that while intermittent fasting and ketogenic diets can be beneficial, they must be approached with caution, especially for women experiencing stress or adrenal fatigue 5. Radical changes in diet can stress the body, leading to fat retention as a survival mechanism.

It's not what you're doing, it's how you're doing it. If you cold turkey change your diet, change your lifestyle, that is a stress to the system.

--- Chalene Johnson

Chalene advocates for individualized approaches to diet and lifestyle changes, emphasizing the need to understand one's body and metabolism.