The Stages of Menopause with Karen Arthur E28
Written by #WWR
This week, Sareta and Chioma talk to the inspiring Karen Arthur – a fashion creative, menopause aficionado, and all-around carefree Black woman.
Karen is the host of the Menopause Whilst Black podcast, which is finally bringing much-needed diversity to the conversation around menopause. She shares the stories of UK-based Black women who are either dreading, suffering, or thriving through menopause and encourages everyone to celebrate the new chapters in life.
She has also campaigned alongside famous figures like Davina McCall, Mariella Frostrup, and Lisa Snowdon for the Menopause Mandate. She’s even made her mark as a model, appearing on Specsavers’ giant billboards!
Karen is living her most liberating life ever! With the transition from perimenopause to postmenopause, she’s been able to let go of her fears and scarcity mindset and embrace the power of her worth.
She now knows that “no” is a complete sentence and that her menopause experience doesn’t have to be the worst of times. She has found it incredibly empowering – and the Women Who Rebrand hosts are in awe of her transformation. Dare we say; they may even be a little bit excited to soon embark on their own menopause journeys…maybe!
Photo Credit: Karen Arthur by Chantel King
Depression and Menopause forced me to be honest with myself and the people around me.” – Karen Arthur
In this episode, Karen talks about the many topics concerning menopause, from becoming a grandmother and letting go of your adult children to the different stages of menopause and the various ways it can manifest.
She dives into the lack of research into menopause, what this means for those going through it, and the health and medical inequalities that impact Black people going through menopause.
Karen shares her advice on supporting yourself through menopause, medically, physically and emotionally, and giving ‘zero f**ks’ after menopause!
The Stages of Menopause
- Menopause is when your periods stop due to a depletion of specific hormones such as estrogen and testosterone.
- This usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55; however, it can occur sooner.
- It can happen earlier for reasons such as surgery to remove the ovaries (oophorectomy) or the uterus (hysterectomy), cancer treatments like chemotherapy, or a genetic reason.
- Perimenopause is when you have symptoms before your periods have stopped. You reach menopause when you have not had a period for 12 months.
- Menopause and perimenopause can cause symptoms like anxiety, mood swings, brain fog, hot flushes and irregular periods.
- These symptoms can start years before your periods stop and carry on afterwards.
Menopause can have a significant impact on people’s daily lives. From mood swings and fatigue to hot flashes and night sweats, the symptoms of menopause can be overwhelming and disruptive.
Mood swings can range from feeling irritable, anxious, or depressed to feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. These emotional changes can make it difficult to focus during the day, making it harder to stay productive or concentrate on tasks.
Hot flashes can also be disruptive. They can cause sudden, uncomfortable changes in body temperature that can lead to sweat and discomfort. Hot flashes can be so intense that they can wake you up in the middle of the night, making it difficult to get a good night’s sleep.
Fatigue is another common symptom of menopause. This can make staying awake during the day harder, leading to decreased productivity and concentration.
Night sweats can also be disruptive. They can cause sudden, intense sweating and can make it challenging to stay comfortable while trying to get some rest.
Menopause can be challenging for many people, but understanding the symptoms and how to manage them can help make it easier to cope. Exercise, healthy eating, and relaxation techniques can all help to reduce the symptoms of menopause and make daily life more manageable.
The Joy Retreat
A life-changing experience.
Karen invites you to join the retreat for a week of connection amongst like minds for a healing and affirmative experience of feeling seen, heard and held.
She has created a “joy full”, nurturing space to help Black women affirm, nourish and emerge reconnected to themselves and fully in their power…you don’t have to feel alone.
“Through a combination of movement, journalling, nutrition guidance, meditation, nature walks, rest, connection and the healing space of women in communion, you’ll emerge changed. Open to the beauty and possibility of the future. Unfazed by the great transition that Menopause presents and on the contrary, grounded in an embodied knowing of the great promise tomorrow holds for you and your life.”
Karen Recommends
Rest + Calm: Gentle yoga and mindful practices to nurture and restore yourself
“This gem of a book is a guide to powerful practices for rest, reflection, self-care and the tending of community. The insight it contains is not a luxury, but a physical, emotional and spiritual imperative”. ― Bo Forbes, Psy.D., psychologist, somatic educator, and author of Yoga for Emotional Balance.
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