A burnout? You may be in transition | Stories behind the news

What is the transition?

“The menopause begins when a body stops producing progesterone, estrogen or testosterone. Menopause does not only occur in women, but also in men. It is much less common in men, as they usually produce testosterone until death. It is different for women. Every woman is in menopause because their egg supply is depleted at some point. That’s when menopause begins for a woman. The menopausal complaints of men and women can be the same, by the way, ”explains Mirjam.

Mirjam is chairman of the board of the Gelderse Vallei hospital and got to know lyricist Marcelle when she was interviewed by her about the care. Marcelle: “At one point Mirjam and I started talking about female nurses with a burnout that I had interviewed. She wondered if there was no transition. Research shows that 34 percent of the absenteeism of women in the age category 40-60 years is related to menopausal complaints such as fatigue, sleep and concentration problems. So it may be that you are not overworked, but in the transition. Little is known about that and that’s how things started rolling for our book. ”

Marcelle and Mirjam were in their late thirties when they were transitioning. That is relatively young. Marcelle: „The average age is 51 years. Menopause starts after the last menstrual period, also known as menopause. Before and after menopause, the body searches for a new hormone balance for several years. This interim period is called the transition. ”

What are the symptoms of the menopause?

• Headache
• Migraine
• Fatigue
• Sleep and concentration disorders
• Psychological complaints
• Hot flushes
• Palpitations
• Lung complaints such as asthma
• Vaginal dryness
• Problems with the pelvic floor
• Prolapse of the uterus, bladder and / or rectum

Marcelle and Mirjam give a number of practical tips on what to do with these menopausal symptoms: “Take a rest immediately and take a painkiller if you have a headache. Listening to the body is important. Do you have psychological complaints? Make sure you take plenty of breaks during the day; drink tea, take a walk or read a magazine. Learn to say no to unnecessary burdens and learn to accept help. Don’t be afraid of hot flashes, discuss them correctly. Staying calm and identifying what’s going on helps you keep the situation under control. Try doing breathing exercises during a hot flash, which can provide relief. If you have many complaints, talk to the doctor. It could just be that a hormone treatment could be something for you. Furthermore, four pillars are important to keep in mind: healthy eating according to the Wheel of Five, getting enough exercise, sleeping well and reducing stress where possible. ”

Which phases does the transition have?

“Everyone is different, which means that the stages of transition are not the same for anyone. One person feels the transition due to a rumbling cycle and the other is suddenly in the middle of it ”, Mirjam explains. “No one can tell you in advance what will bother you and how long it will take. That differs per woman, but the above symptoms often come along sooner or later. What we do know for sure is that the transition will be over after some time. ”

More about the transition?

You may also find it interesting to read how you deal with weight gain in menopause (Laura’s entire waist disappeared through the menopause), of decrease in sex drive due to menopause and how you according to gynecologist Manon Kerkhof takes good care of yourself during the menopause.

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