163 World Menopause Day 2022

<p><!-- wp:paragraph --></p> <p>Today's podcast is released to coincide with world menopause day, I also released a special episode in 2021, if you would like to go back to listen it's <a href= "http://www.hillstart.me.uk/110">episode 110.</a></p> <p><!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --></p> <h3 id="heading">What's the difference between menopause and perimenopause?</h3> <p><!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --></p> <p>The term perimenopause and menopause are often used interchangeably. However officially the term menopause is a single day, and it is the day when a woman has not had a period for 12 months. Perimenopause is the time before that and post menopause is the time after that.</p> <p><!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --></p> <p>When we are talking about signs, symptoms, and other general talk around menopause what we are usually referring to is actually perimenopause.</p> <p><!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --></p> <h3 id="heading">How long does perimenopause last?</h3> <p><!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --></p> <p>One of the most common things I hear is 'I'm not in menopause yet' from women that are in their early 40's. Whilst perimenopause is different for everyone, I suggest that it lasts around ten years.</p> <p><!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --></p> <p>The reason I suggest ten years is that it can often start with symptoms that you might not recognise as perimenopause. Women assume that if they are still having a regular cycle that they are not in perimenopause, and whilst changes in our hormone levels, particularly oestrogen does have an impact on our cycle regularity, many women are taking contraceptives that interfere with this natural cycle. Also, your cycle might be less strong, but still regular.</p> <p><!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --></p> <p>In my experience of working with many women, often the first signs are more psychological than physical. Poor quality sleep, anxiety, fear, or anger are very common early signs. Ma