Marija Butkovic’s Post

Menopause is widely known to be a marker of the end of a woman's reproductive life, designated 12 months after her last period, said the National Institute on Aging (NIA). However, many people are less aware that perimenopause comes before it, and can cause symptoms like declining bone and muscle mass, wrinkles, sagging skin, graying hair, irregular periods, decreased fertility, vaginal dryness and hot flashes. Many of these symptoms echo those that crop up for 90% of women during menopause. A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders last month also links perimenopause to a significant increase in the likelihood of depression. According to the study, "women in this stage are about 40% more likely to experience the mental health condition than premenopausal women," said CNN. This is partly because levels of estrogen, the main female hormone, rise and fall "unevenly" during perimenopause, said Mayo Clinic. Estrogen, in turn, has "been found to affect the metabolism of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, β-endorphin and serotonin, all of which have a role in emotional states," said the Journal's study authors to CNN. Although approximately 2 million women reach menopause every year, "fewer than 1 in 10 physicians treating these individuals feel prepared to do so," said CNN, citing a study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Healthcare providers often fail to make their female patients aware of medications that could help alleviate perimenopause and menopause symptoms. "Even lifestyle changes [can] help, like healthier eating, avoiding alcohol, regular exercise and stress reduction," Pinkerton said. #womenshealth #femtech #healthtech #digitalhealth #healthcare #healthcareinnovation #startups #innovation #health #medtech #healthcareresearch #femalehealth #genderhealthgap #reproductivehealth #venturecapital #vc #funding #investment #grants #maternalhealth #periods #menstruation #sexualhealth #sextech #menopause #fertility #pregnancy #postpartum #eggfreezing #IVF #healthequity #pelvicfloor #pelvicfloorhealth #hormonehealth

Perimenopause is called the second puberty because women feel like hell when they are going through it. Perimenopause is no second puberty. It is a transitional time when the ovaries are petering out producing less and less estrogen and other important hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle. The side effects of this are many but a few are, - headaches - lack of executive function - brain fog - feeling bad overall - lack of motivation - crying spells - negative ruminating thoughts - weight gain - irrational behavior - anger/rage - weight gain and inability to lose weight - low sex drive - lack of will to live This is the best time for women to intervene with an advanced HRT system designed to fully restore hormones the ovaries are no longer able to produce at reproductive levels. There is no reason for women to wait until their estrogen tank is completely void of estrogen to restore it. No one seems to suggest doing this but instead offered low dosed HRT and drugs to manage the symptoms that could eliminated with a good HRT system. If you are going through perimenopause, get on a good HRT system designed to restore a healthy and incident-free menstrual cycle. You have more control over how your brain and body deteriorate than you think. #menopause #perimenopause #PerimenopausePrevention #MenopausePrevention #delaymenopause #hormonehealth #hormones #hrt #BHRT #femalehrttraining #hormonecoachtraining https://lnkd.in/gYazQ2e8

The conversation around menopause is evolving, and it's about time! Influential figures like Drew Barrymore and Naomi Watts are shedding light on this important phase, but there's still much work to be done. A recent McKinsey report highlights menopause as an area with one of the highest unmet needs in female health, presenting a massive market potential ranging from $120 billion to $350 billion globally. With over 450 million women worldwide experiencing symptoms, the demand for effective treatments and support is undeniable. At Cofertility, we recognize the holistic journey of womanhood, from fertility challenges to menopausal transitions. Our commitment extends beyond helping you build your family; we're here to empower and support you at every stage of life. #MenopauseAwareness #WomensHealth #Innovation #Healthcare #McKinseyReport https://lnkd.in/eMwNrRmB

“Not feeling like myself” is an incredibly appropriate phrase in an article from The Washington Post today. I just led a Menopause Cafe charity event today for a group of women in different stages of menopause and this was a great summation of what they experience: ✅Complete overwhelm ✅Disconnectedness between one’s body and brain ✅Brain fog – can't think clearly and focus ✅Mood swings – rage, sobbing at trivial things, extremely irritable ✅Hot flashes and night sweats ✅Vaginal dryness and discomfort ✅Sleep deprivation so severe you can’t function   👭 While medical intervention and therapies can help, sisterhood does as well. Women feel so alone during this time. And many doctors aren’t menopause experts and so can dismiss patients, tell them to “suck it up,” send them off with an anti-depressant or give them bad guidance.   🦸♀️Knowing others are going through the same feelings and talking about it together can empower women with the understanding that what they are experiencing is normal, hormonal, a shared struggle, and can get better.   🌅Perimenopause can happen much earlier than many expect as well. So education in advance of this life stage is critical. One woman in my group today thought she was dying…but no, “just” menopause.   🤲Women out there – know you are NOT alone, advocate for yourself and insist on the proper care, and talk to each other! https://lnkd.in/gn_ihXhh #Menopause #MenopauseSymptoms #MenopauseHealth #Midlife #MenopauseAwareness #MenopauseMovement #EmpoweringWomen #MenopauseSupport #MenopauseRelief #Menowar Menopause Experts Group Limited

I am part of a generation of women who will deal with the challenges of perimenopause at the same time they need to figure out the "baby question" for themselves. The first time I heard about the term 'perimenopause', something inside me freaked out. I thought: "oh great! One more thing I need to brace myself for." 😒 It's not just the looming menopause, marking the end of my reproductive years— something I pictured for a long time as a point of no return that supposedly sends everything downhill (your career, libido, and social "attractiveness") There's also the period leading up to that. Perimenopause can be a few years long or could last for 10 to 12 years before you can actually say you've hit #menopause (menopause = 12 months after your last period). A time window where you notice changes: in your cycle (length or heaviness), vaginal dryness, bladder changes, joint pain, mood changes… Perimenopause just sounds like a threat, something making my reproductive years window even narrower.  But Maisie Hill has this one sentence in her book that picks me up whenever I have one of these moments: "To be forewarned is to be forearmed and this is crucial information to have when it comes to seeking out appropriate treatment during perimenopause". I started this book a few months ago while working on a #perimenopause project. It has been a wealth of information! Some of the things I've learned or got reminded of: → #Reproductivehealth goes beyond reproduction: perimenopause impacts more than 'just' the ability to conceive/ get pregnant. It also influences mental health or bone health, for example → Not everyone knows about perimenopause, and that also includes medical professionals who aren't always fully aware of its wide range of symptoms and complexity → There are still a few myths going around: for example, the idea that hormone replacement therapy is bad for women and could increase breast cancer risks. There have been so many flawed studies making headlines in the past; they had a profound impact on doctors' prescriptions and public opinion. It has kept some people away from a sound and safe option (p77) → Those suffering from PMDD or had a history of depression episodes are more at risk for depression again during perimenopause because of the hormonal fluctuations (p133) "The premenstrual, or Autumn, phase of the cycle acts as a proving ground for self-awareness and self-development, and perimenopause is one epic continual Autumn - the kind that can break you or make you."(P126) So, I still feel like perimenopause isn't going to be a party. (Or maybe yes?! Some people report having more libido around menopause 😋) But now, I am also more aware of the possible challenges ahead. I tell myself what a chance to carry all this knowledge with me: all this vocabulary, these keys to understanding eventual changes in my body, and the possibility to be a more attentive and a better advocate for my own health

Embrace Menopause: A Milestone in Life Menopause is a significant transition in a woman's life, marking the end of reproductive years. With over 36 million women in the United States alone experiencing menopause, it's essential to understand the biology and symptoms of this natural process. Menopause unfolds in three stages, with hormonal changes affecting various body tissues. Surgical menopause can lead to intensified symptoms, and mental health during menopause is influenced by various factors. Regular consultations with healthcare providers are crucial for managing long-term health risks and addressing sleep and sexual health issues. Embrace menopause as a time of growth and transformation, seeking personalized guidance and management from healthcare professionals. #MenopauseAwareness #HealthyAging #Women'sHealth https://lnkd.in/d3q2_6xb

Excited to read this valuable research from Joyce Harper and colleagues, exploring perimenopausal women’s feelings towards their periods, the impact on their wellbeing and how we can support them. Right up my street 💥 It makes for a miserable read though, because mostly women have hated menstruation all through their lives, and suffer more in perimenopause. 🥺 The report concludes that menstrual education needs to be improved from an early age for both genders. Infuriating that the media didn’t pick up on it though 🤬 Question: what if young people were taught about not only the physiology but also the superpowers of each menstrual phase and how to care for them? This single element would not only improve menstrual health outcomes, but also perimenopause suffering too. AND give patriarchy a massive kick up the arse. (And put me out of a job 🤣) What caught my eye though was the bit about the experience of the first period (aka menarche) and how it impacts on the rest of their menstrual life. This is something that shows up stand again in my clients but luckily is something you can heal now. It has amazing benefits for perimenopause struggles. If you’re curious about this I have different offerings that might suit you: If you want 1-2-1 guidance and holding the Menopause Doula service is for you. There are three levels of support available with check-ins and bonus materials available over a year. If you prefer online, try the Perimenopause Unwrapped self-directed online course to move from fear to compassion - where you’ll find a gentle holding to do a deep dive into reflecting and transforming your experience of the menstrual years. For your teens, get in touch with Tara Ghosh for her excellent courses and check out Saskia Boujo for more brilliance Read the books from @Tessa Venuti Sanderson and @saraho65 I’m sure there are loads more great resources for healing monarch retrospectively and for educating teens and children. Please add your favourites. Maybe I’ll post more on menarche in another post. So much potency here. https://lnkd.in/eepyjcgd

“Not feeling like myself” is an incredibly appropriate phrase in an article from The Washington Post. I just led a Menopause Cafe charity  event today for a group of women in different stages of menopause and this was a great summation of what they experience: ✅Complete overwhelm ✅Disconnectedness between one’s body and brain ✅Brain fog – can't think clearly and focus ✅Mood swings – rage, sobbing at trivial things, extremely irritable ✅Hot flashes and night sweats ✅Vaginal dryness and discomfort ✅Sleep deprivation so severe you can’t function   👭 While medical intervention and therapies can help, sisterhood does as well. Women feel so alone during this time. And many doctors aren’t menopause experts and so can dismiss patients, tell them to “suck it up,” send them off with an anti-depressant or give them bad guidance.   🦸♀️Knowing others are going through the same feelings and talking about it together can empower women with the understanding that what they are experiencing is normal, hormonal, a shared struggle, and can get better.   🌅Perimenopause can happen much earlier than many expect as well. So education in advance of this life stage is critical. One woman in my group today thought she was dying…but no, “just” menopause.   🤲Women out there – know you are NOT alone, advocate for yourself and insist on the proper care, and talk to each other! https://lnkd.in/gn_ihXhh #Menopause #MenopauseSymptoms #MenopauseHealth #Midlife #MenopauseAwareness #MenopauseMovement #EmpoweringWomen #MenopauseSupport #MenopauseRelief #Menowar Menopause Experts Group Limited

https://lnkd.in/eRxZqZch Menopause Is Finally Going Mainstream Kathryn Clancy wrote an entire book about menstrual cycles. But even she was surprised by some of the pre-menopausal symptoms she recently began to experience at age 44. “A lot of things that have to do with my uterus, ovaries, and breasts, I have been massively underprepared for as a Ph.D.-level expert in this field,” says Clancy, a professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. “That should tell you how even more underprepared most people are.” Most people who menstruate will experience symptoms including hot flashes, brain fog, and changes to mood, sleep, and sexual function as they approach menopause, defined as the point in time a year after their last period. But that transition, which typically begins between the ages of 45 and 55, is so rarely discussed in society—and at the doctor’s office—that people often know nearly nothing about it in advance. One 2023 study of post-menopausal women found that almost none of them had learned about menopause in school, and about half of them “did not feel informed at all” about the life stage. But there are signs that menopause is finally going mainstream, as both the medical and business worlds get serious about the needs of the million-plus people in the U.S. who reach menopause every year. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2023 approved Astellas Pharma’s drug to treat menopausal hot flashes, and pharmaceutical giant Bayer is currently developing a similar medication. Some companies are beginning to offer menopause benefits to their employees. Lawmakers have pushed for more research on menopause. And a flurry of menopause-focused startups have launched in recent years to supplement traditional care, since studies suggest a significant portion of people going through menopause are not treated. I have really noticed, thankfully, a new attention and interest in taking care of people during this transition,” says Dr. Ghazaleh Moayedi, a Texas-based ob-gyn who provides menopause care. She attributes that shift to growing numbers of women holding positions of power in business, tech, and medicine, and to social media’s ability to spread information among patients. For Dr. Sharon Malone, chief medical advisor to Alloy, the medical system’s problems with menopause go back to 2002. That’s when a major study was published, linking hormone therapy —which can ease menopause symptoms by boosting levels of hormones that have dropped off—to increased risks of breast cancer and other serious conditions. After that, hormone therapy use plummeted in the U.S. But, Malone says, there’s a crucial caveat to the data: the study participants' average age was 63, older than that of a typical patient receiving hormone therapy for menopause. Later analyses, and statements from researchers involved in the study, clarified that the risk of breast cancer may have been overstated, particularly for younger people.

Re-sharing because this list got so many comments and we all know the Silly Season is a melting pot for meno symptoms ⬆️⬆️⬆️!!! -> 5 game-changing books about Menopause. I was chatting to the Mum of one of my daughter’s friends the other day about her stress levels and I asked if she had considered stress and stress tolerance in relationship to perimenopause. Like me, before I hit 47 and was blindsided by what I now know to be perimenopause symptoms, she looked at me with that “wth are you talking about?” look on her face. Now, I am well aware that not everyone wants to be speaking so openly about “female stuff” especially when we don’t know each other well, AND I also feel like it is my duty as a fellow sister to flag something as potentially helpful if and when I can. The more we chatted, the more she nodded along, the more interested she became, and when it was time to part company, she asked if there were any books I could recommend as a starting point. well well well, being an avid reader, I wanted to give her approximately 28939 billion titles, but I resisted. Here’s the top 5 game-changing books on Meno I sent her way: 1. Wise Power: Discover the Liberating Power of Menopause to Awaken Authority, Purpose and Belonging by Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Hugo Wurlitzer - loved this one for making me feel seen around my need to cleave away everything no longer important or necessary for me in the last 18 months, sees meno transition through a powerful natural and normal lens 2. Hormone Repair Manual: Every Woman’s Guide to Healthy Hormones after 40 by Natuorpath and Hormone Specialist Lara Briden - brilliant overview of female reproductive health and the impacts of hormone imbalance, covers natural and lifestyle advice as well as how to speak to your doctor about other medical treatments 3. The M Word: How to thrive in menopause by TV Celebrity doctor and specialist menopause GP Dr Ginni Mansberg - Ginni has the knack of covering all the different symptoms in a grounded, down-to-earth kind of way and shares her approach to treating menopause transition in her Sydney GP practice 4. The Upgrade: How the Female Brain Gets Stronger and Better in Midlife and Beyond by Dr Louann Brizedine - neuropsychiatrist covering the way our brains change for the better in midlife - so good for not feeling like you are “losing your marbles” if you are suffering cognitive and memory changes right now. 5. Second Spring: The self-care guide to menopause by Kate Codrington - I loved this book so much, and still dive in and out of the much-dog-eared pages full of self-care practises to help you make this transition with more ease and grace. I would love to know, are there other books that changed the game for your menopause education and transition? x Kylie