A Little Insanity is Good: Menopause & Exercise

Menopause is both a physical and a mental phenomenon. The hormones estrogen and progesterone are receptors for the whole body, and when a woman goes into menopause, these hormones go up and down, fluctuating wildly. In turn, menopausal women experience a little “insanity” that is medically connected to these disruptions in hormones and mood-regulating chemicals such as serotonin and endorphins.

WebMD explains that this disruption in biochemical activity influences the occurrence of classic menopause symptoms, such as mood swings. A 2012 research study, for example, showed that such menopausal symptoms as “brain fog” are measurable, real experiences that result from actual changes occurring in the brain—each time your hormones fluctuate, the chemistry in your brain is tasked with compensating!

Dr. Louann Brizendine in her book The Female Brain also explains that prior to menopause, a woman’s hormones are tuned into motherly emotions, nurturing, caring instincts and behaviors, but after menopause, those hormones literally shift gears. A woman then becomes more attuned to her assertive, self-expressive, direct, and independent feelings and behaviors. This journey of female individuation is at once necessary and positive, yet ultimately challenging.

Even when women take hormone supplements for menopause, they still lose more estrogen and have more hormone fluctuations than can be prescribed and balanced by supplements. As a result, alternative therapies and techniques for menopausal symptoms have been and continue to be scientifically explored.

Research studies have revealed that exercise alleviates many side-effects of menopause, such as insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular inflammation. A six-week exercise program was also shown to improve the strength, endurance, flexibility, and even the quality of life for postmenopausal women taking supplements. Plus, on a psychological level, exercise has the ability to help women channel aggressive energy and create healthy pathways toward greater physical and mental independence.

Other practical ways to deal with menopause symptoms include taking steps to reduce stress, getting quality sleep, and utilizing relaxation techniques. If you are experiencing menopause symptoms or you are already on your post-menopausal journey, keep in mind that participating in an exercise routine is one of the best ways to effectively channel the beautiful insanity of normal hormonal changes!