I was reading an article the other day by Dr Andrew Neville. It is called ‘Sweating Through The Sheets? The Adrenal Connection To Menopause’. The full article can be found at http://www.healing.org/symptoms/menopausal-symptoms/
In a nutshell, Dr Neville says that menopause is not just an ovarian hormone problem, but mainly an adrenal hormone problem.
He says that it is not only the ovaries that produce sex hormones but the adrenals do too. So, when the ovaries start to wind down and produce less oestrogen and progesterone during perimenopause and menopause, the adrenals then pick up the slack and produce more. This has been supported by research. I thought this was very interesting given I did not know that the adrenals could produce sex hormones, despite my science background.
He also went on to say that women who are adrenally fatigued due to the stresses in life have worse symptoms because their adrenal glands are not able to make sufficient oestrogen and progesterone. They are too exhausted making cortisol and adrenalin to keep responding to modern life’s stressors and have nothing left. They are empty!
I got to thinking about this and it makes a lot of sense. It would certainly explain why I suffered so badly.
I am a type A personality. My work was very important to me and I ran myself ragged making sure I did the best job I could as a secondary science teacher. I hardly slept for years and I had what seemed like one big hot flush that never seemed to go away. I would wake up soaking wet due to night sweats and have to change my nightwear. I had brain fog, was so forgetful and continually had to write lists so I would remember what I had to do. I was literally burned out!
So of course my adrenals were not working properly! No wonder they could not do the job of making the necessary sex hormones to balance out what my ovaries were no longer making. No wonder my symptoms were so bad.
I had to give up my job in the end. I could no longer do it. I was devastated and cried for months afterwards.
If I had known what I know now, it may be a different story.
So ladies…if you are suffering, go and get your adrenals checked out. If you find that they are fatigued, get some adrenal support. There are supplements, herbs etc on the market that will help.
You may have to address some out of balance areas of our life too. Just like I was forced to do.
Menopause is a time of change, not just of our bodies, but of our whole approach towards life.
These changes can be challenging and confronting.
If you would like to know how to navigate the changes in your life as you age and have a happy, productive and inspiring life……
You can book with me for a no obligation quick chat.
