It’s a big year for me! Turning 50 is a milestone year, and also when women are usually in the thick of perimenopause. Perimenopause is something we weren’t educated on during our adolescent years. I have information about perimenopause and running and things you should know about how it affects your life, emotions, muscles and joints, and brain.
What is Perimenopause?
There is a natural point in your life when your ovaries gradually stop working, and you will not get a period anymore – otherwise known as menopause. But prior to that time, you go through hell trying to figure out why you are losing your mind, can’t sleep, and have a lot of strange things happening to you. This period of time is around 10 years! Wonderful!
This period of time started to become more noticeable to me in my mid 40’s. However, this can happen earlier for some people. Remember, everybody is different. It’s important to take care of yourself and be KIND to yourself during these years.
Symptoms of Perimenopause
When you hear of menopause (or perimenopause), you may just think you will no longer get your period, or you’ll have hot flashes and night sweats. There are more symptoms you get the pleasure of experiencing like:
- Headaches and migraines
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Night sweats
- Hot flashes
- Hormonal weight gain
- Bloating
- Joint and muscle aches
- Hair loss
- Memory loss
- Trouble concentrating
- Having to pee often
- Changes in sexual desire
- Irregularity of your menstrual cycle
- Vaginal dryness
Why does this happen? It’s because your estrogen and progesterone rise and fall. When your estrogen is higher, you’ll feel like you normally do when you have PMS. But when the estrogen drops, you may experience hot flashes or night sweats.
Perimenopause and Running
I am a runner, and I am going through perimenopause. I have to say that so far, I don’t think I am experiencing too many negative symptoms from perimenopause that is affecting my running. I partly think that the reason why I am doing ok with it is that I exercise frequently throughout the week.
Why Is Running Good During Perimenopause?
I exercise because I need stress relief after work. Running is a good way for me to forget about issues that I had during the day and to enjoy the outside fresh air. I also do it because of the feeling it leaves me with when I get home. Even if I had a less-than-ideal run, I always feel better afterward. Your body naturally releases feel-good hormones when you work out and run.
Weight Management
If you are like me and suffer from anxiety, depression, and ADHD, you may stress-eat. I am learning that I do it because I need the dopamine fix. So I’ve been chewing gum or having a seltzer or flavored water to help keep my mouth busy and to help distract myself from snacking.
Running will also help in keeping your weight in check. But I have to note that it isn’t just running that will help with weight loss. You must remain diligent with what you eat during this time because, during this time in life, it is difficult to lose weight. Your cortisol levels tend to rise a little
Prevention of Bone Loss
Osteoporosis also happens as we age and go through these changes. Running and strength training is helpful to reduce bone loss.
Exercise will keep your bones strong, help you with your balance, and prevent stiffness of the joints. I suggest doing some yoga as well to help you learn how to meditate and quiet your mind, which will help with moods.
It Helps You Sleep
When you work out, you get tired because your body needs to use energy to recover from the workout. Especially with weight training and muscle building. Try to run or workout for at least 30-60 minutes per day, several days a week. I find that doing a HIIT type workout in addition to my running gets my heart rate elevated so I am getting in some anaerobic exercise that will burn fat.
How Is Perimenopause Treated?
A few years back I mentioned all of my symptoms to my doctor and she told me it was probably perimenopause. But we weren’t going to do anything for it at this time. It wasn’t so bothersome that it was affecting my everyday life. However, some people may need more help. Hormone therapy can help manage the estrogen and progesterone levels.
Antidepressants may also be prescribed to help with moodiness. I also do yoga to help me with mindset, focus, and flexibility. I take an herbal supplement called Ashwagandha to help with mood and stress. I noticed last week that I had forgotten to take it and I was feeling a bit frazzled. I can’t say for sure if that was the reason, but I’m taking note of it.
I am also making it a point to eat a clean diet containing a lot of veggies and good fats to help my brain and the brain fog that I often battle with. My hot flashes seem to be triggered by red wine. I’ve cut out alcohol from my diet, but I do notice that when I have a glass of red wine, the flashes seem to be more frequent.
To be 100% honest, I am still struggling with cutting out sugar. I’ve reduced the amount that I have each day, but my sweet tooth is brutal. I need all the help I can get!
Join Me!
Are you going through perimenopause? Do you feel like you hadn’t really been informed about this wonderful season in life? Well, I’m going to share more about it to help ease your mind that you aren’t going crazy, your body isn’t falling apart, and hopefully, you will sleep better again, too! Want to join in on more discussions about perimenopause and running? Join my Facebook group.