What this episode is about
Discover why 60% of women don't feel like themselves during menopause, plus practical solutions from medical and wellness experts.
Key takeaways
- Gabriella shares a Women Living Better survey: over 60% of women feel like they're not themselves at least half the time in this life stage. If that's you, you have company.
- Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz asks her patients to track their cycles and symptoms for two to three months. She says understanding your own body helps you decide what to do next.
- Gabriella says to get a baseline bone density scan as soon as symptoms start, or as you enter midlife. Joint aches were an early sign of bone loss for her.
Moments from this episode
Word for word from the recording. Tap a time to hear it.
Estrogen works all over the body
“If you look at where estrogen receptors live in our body, they live everywhere in our body. So estrogen is having whole body influence, not just in the obvious places.”
Hormones talk to the brain
“Hormones have a massive impact in the brain, and that's not just estrogen, that's testosterone and progesterone, they turn on and off all sorts of neurotransmitter lines and communications.”
Bring your hands to your body
“It's really about, okay, where am I feeling that anxiety? Bringing your hands to your body, breathing, talking, listening, and really showing yourself some some compassion as a relief in the moment.”
“Yoga offers us all the tools, right? It's an ancient technology that offers us the tools, whether it's breath work or meditation or yoga nidra or shavasana.”
Gabriella Espinosaat 11:27
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Show notes
Have you ever caught yourself thinking, "I just don't feel like myself"?
You're not alone. In fact, over 60% of women feel this way at least half the time during perimenopause and menopause. This sensation of "not feeling like myself" (NFLM) isn't just in your head, it's a real phenomenon backed by research and experienced by countless women worldwide.
In this special episode of Pleasure in the Pause, I had the unique opportunity to join Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, board-certified OB/GYN and author of MENOPAUSE BOOTCAMP, for a panel discussion hosted by the amazing Kat Farrants, founder of Movement for Modern Life. Together, we unpacked the complex reality of menopause transitions and shared practical and actionable solutions. It was a dynamic conversation where I found myself sharing both insights and reflecting alongside these remarkable women.
Read the full show notesShow less
The Science Behind Your Symptoms
Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, board-certified OB/GYN and integrative medicine expert, explains that estrogen receptors exist throughout our entire body, not just in reproductive organs. This explains why menopause affects everything from joint health to cognitive function. The newly recognized "musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause" helps explain why many women experience:
- Joint pain and stiffness
- Increased tendency for injury
- Changes in bone density
- Full-body aches and discomfort
- Changes in mobility and flexibility
The Mind-Body Connection
What makes this transition particularly challenging is its impact on both physical and emotional well-being. Kat Farrants, founder of Movement for Modern Life, describes her early perimenopause experience as feeling "like an impostor had taken hold of my body." This disconnection from self often manifests as:
- Unexpected anxiety
- Mood fluctuations
- Brain fog
- Fatigue
- Loss of confidence
- Motivation changes
The Role of Tracking and Awareness
One key insight from the discussion is the importance of tracking symptoms. Dr. Gilberg-Lenz recommends monitoring your cycle and symptoms for 2-3 months to identify patterns. This practice serves multiple purposes:
- Helps you understand your body's patterns
- Provides valuable information for healthcare providers
- Empowers you to advocate for yourself
- Creates awareness of what helps and what doesn't
The Intersection with Other Health Conditions
The discussion revealed important connections between menopause and other health conditions:
- Autoimmune conditions often emerge or flare during this time
- ADHD symptoms may intensify
- Existing health conditions can be complicated by hormonal changes
- Bone health becomes increasingly important
Building Your Support System
A crucial theme that emerged is the importance of community and support. Dr. Gilberg-Lenz emphasizes that "the medicine is in the community." This includes:
- Finding healthcare providers who will partner with you
- Building a network of understanding friends and family
- Connecting with others going through a similar transition
- Creating spaces where you can share your story and experiences
- Working with specialists who understand menopause
Joining a yoga community like Movement for Modern Life or facilitating your own menopause community by becoming a Menopause Bootcamp Certified Leader were highlighted as excellent ways to do this.
Practical Solutions and Approaches
The experts shared several strategies for navigating this transition:
Movement and Body Work
- Gentle, mindful movement practices
- Focus on bone-strengthening activities
- Adaptation of exercise routines as needed
- Restorative poses and practices
Medical Support
- Consider baseline DEXA scans for bone health
- Discuss hormone therapy options with your provider
- Regular check-ups and monitoring
- Vitamin D and other supportive supplements as needed
Emotional Well-being
- Practice mindfulness and body awareness
- Learn to lean into anxiety rather than fight it
- Develop healthy boundaries
- Focus on self-compassion
A New Perspective on Change
Perhaps most importantly, the conversation revealed how this transition, while challenging, can lead to positive transformation. As Dr. Gilberg-Lenz shared from her own experience, this period often prompts women to:
- Establish healthier boundaries
- Release perfectionist tendencies
- Learn to ask for help
- Discover new aspects of themselves
- Build more authentic relationships
Moving Forward
Remember that this transition, while significant, doesn't have to be faced alone. Resources and support are available through:
- Healthcare providers who specialize in menopause care
- Community support groups and online forums
- Movement and mindfulness practices
- Educational resources and programs
The journey through menopause is unique for each woman, but understanding the physical and emotional aspects can help you navigate it with greater confidence and self-compassion. As you move through this transition, remember that it's not just about managing symptoms, it's an opportunity to reconnect with yourself in new and meaningful ways.
Your menopause journey is valid, your experiences matter, and there is support available when you need it. Whether through medical care, community support, or personal practices, you have the power to shape this transition into a period of growth and self-discovery.
Ready to Feel Life Yourself Again? Special World Menopause Awareness Month Offer!
During this episode, I shared how yoga and mindfulness practices have been my guiding light through the up and downs of my menopause journey - helping me find calm in the storm of symptoms and feel more like myself again from a place of compassion and acceptance. I am proud to be on the teaching team for the Movement for Modern Life Yoga for Menopause course. Join me in transforming your menopause experience with the evidence-based Menopause for Modern Life Course - FREE when you join Movement for Modern Life this month.
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Connect with Our Guests:
Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz:
→ Website: thedrsuzanne.com → Instagram: instagram.com/askdrsuzanne → Menopause Bootcamp Leader Certification: themenopausebootcamp.com
Kat Farrants: → Movement for Modern Life: movementformodernlife.com → Instagram: instagram.com
About the guest
Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-LenzBoard-certified OB/GYN and integrative medicine expertGuest on this episode of Pleasure in the Pause.More about them
