Johanna

Hi Nostr community, today is World menopause day, so I'm making a comeback after some months, to leave you some basic definitions to orient you on the journey. Unfortunately, most women in their late 30’s & 40’s have no idea what menopause is. And, if they have it, it’s based on what the media feeds us: a devastating disease, where your ovaries stop functioning, and after it its THE END. Nothing farther from the truth 🔥! Many feel confused and disoriented because they don’t know what’s going on. Others feel they aren’t getting the support they need, or are spending years trying to figure it out on their own. So here are some basic definitions to get you oriented on this journey which lasts about a decade,and what you can expect. Symptoms of perimenopause include: 🔥 Irregular periods 🔥 Memory issues, brain fog 🔥 Anxiety 🔥 Less stress resiliency 🔥 Mood swings, Depression 🔥 Migraines 🔥 breast pain 🔥 heavy periods Joint pain But the truth is that the temporary perimenopausal symptoms are our bodies and brains re-patterning to new hormonal and brain pathways, away from reproduction into sustaining the second part of our lives. And these are symptoms that take a toll in our quality of life, and are not to take lightly or just endure. 🐳 Perimenopause 🐳 Perimenopause begins 2-8 years before we cease to menstruate, our periods start to fluctuate. They become farther apart or closer, scantier or heavier. Here you have early perimenopause and late perimenopause (see my next post) First you have a stage of early perimenopause that is characterized by low progesterone and high relative estrogen. Then, late perimenopause follows with high and fluctuating estrogen. And these can come with distinct symptoms, related to estrogen leaving the house, followed by its partner progesterone. 🐳 Menopause 🐳 Refers to the permanent cessation of menses after a year of complete absence of menstruation. 🐳 Postmenopause 🐳 The period after menopause and when bleeding has stopped for over 12 months. What has been your experience with Perimenopause so far? #perimenopause #menopause #womeninnostr #womenhealth #hormonehealth

Paradise!

Hey there nostr! it's been a while since my last post. I'm now in Puerto Rico, visiting family, but here comes some inspiration. this time, about how our cycle impacts our brain. Monthly cyclical changes in our hormones dramatically reshape regions of the brain that mediate emotions, memory, behavior, and how information is transferred. In the first half of the month high estrogen levels give you an increase in mental sharpness, creativity and communication skills. Estrogen also enhances the release of serotonin which is our happiness hormone. In the second half of the month, your cognitive abilities shift and you turn inwards. What can go wrong? Some of the hormonal changes, especially in the second half can express strongly for some. For example PMS affects the limbic system and prefrontal cortex, where decision making, good judgment and stable emotions occur. PMS symptoms include moodiness, trouble concentrating, aggressivity, and irritability. Studies show that the longer you go untreated, the greater the risk of dementia. Here's a challenge: Start noticing your daily mood and mental patterns. How is your mental clarity today? Do you feel foggy? Do you feel more inwards or more outwards, articulated and able to make good judgements? Noticing these changes will help you be aware of your cyclical strengths and can help you better organize your tasks at home and at work. I read you in the comments! #women #hormones #brainhealth #holistichealth #menstrualcycle