MENOPAUSE
ESPA's guide to understanding Menopause
What is Menopause?
Menopause is beautiful, blossoming as our bodies evolve and develop, each of our journeys unique. A celebration of life, identity, and the feminine. Connect with your body through its changes, and connect with women all over the world.
Embrace menopause, welcome this natural evolution. Like a rose blooming, becoming richer, more vibrant, and more aromatic ....
As are our bodies, and as is the spirit. Through each stage of menopause, and every individual experience ESPA is here to support and celebrate you.
A natural evolution of the body, mind, and spirit.
The Second Spring
The second spring is a term used in traditional Chinese medicine to describe the transition a woman goes through after completing her reproductive cycle. It is considered a time for rediscovery, nourishment, and empowerment.
However, this transition can bring a range of physical symptoms along with mental and emotional ones, that can at times be overwhelming.
Common symptoms usually begin with changes to the menstrual cycle along with hot flushes, changes to mood and emotions, brain fog, muscular aches & pains, and changes in sleep pattern.
Symptoms vary from person to person to varying degrees. Please remember that this is a normal process that all women experience, a natural transition that ebbs and flows and runs its course. It will begin and end in due time.
Treat yourself with patience, kindness, compassion, and grace. Give your body and mind the care and time needed to adjust to and accept this new experience. Navigate this changed hormonal landscape at your own pace, listening to your body and its needs.
The Stages of Menopause
PREMENOPAUSE
Periods stop at around 45, naturally or due to health issues or treatments such as chemo.
If you’re under 45 and your periods stop, this is counted as early or premature menopause – sometimes called Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) or Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI).
PERIMENOPAUSE
The transition stage prior to menopause.
This usually begins with changes to the menstrual cycle although this can be different for each woman. Symptoms of menopause often begin to appear in this stage, however not always. Periods are less regular.
MENOPAUSE
The menopause usually signifies the cessation of menstruation for 12 months or more.
You will be feeling many symptoms, in a variety of ways. Seemingly sporadic, or consistent, everyone’s menopause journey is different with each symptom a result of your individual body.
As with everything to do with the menopause, what happens next is completely unique to you. For some, their bodies will have adjusted to these new hormonal lows and symptoms will peter out over time, or they’ll enjoy complete relief. For others, their symptoms will continue for a little while longer. They may intensify and new ones may even appear.
POSTMENOPAUSE
Menstruation no longer occurs, and your body adjusts to this. Periods and menstrual cycle cease fully.
Unfortunately, postmenopause may bring new health issues – some of which are part of the typical aging process, like osteoporosis or heart disease.
