Michele DeJesus, PhD, NBC-HWC is a board-certified & Mayo Clinic-certified Health Coach and an ACE-certified Personal Trainer with a PhD. in Holistic Nutrition. She is the CEO of a 26-year coaching business, successfully guiding adults in transforming their health, fitness and weight loss. Michele has been featured in the IDEA Health & Fitness online magazine as well as numerous television appearances speaking about fitness, weight loss and health.
“I’m doing the same things I’ve always done. My waist has grown inches, my skin itches and I can’t remember things. Is it hot in here?”
Menopause is a natural and inevitable part of a woman’s life, yet it remains shrouded in silence and stigma. This critical life stage, which marks the end of menstruation and reproductive years, typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. Despite affecting half of the population, menopause is often misunderstood, under-researched, and inadequately addressed in medical education and practice.
The importance of talking about menopause
As a health coach specializing in midlife women’s health & wellness, I am part of a growing movement that seeks to provide women with the education, support, and resources they need to navigate menopause, and midlife, with confidence and well-being.
The first step towards improving menopause care is to normalize the conversation. Historically, menopause has been a taboo subject, rarely discussed even among women themselves. This silence perpetuates misinformation and leaves many women unprepared for the changes they will experience.
By bringing menopause into the open, we can empower women to seek the help they need and ensure they don’t suffer in silence. Open conversations can also help dispel myths and provide a more accurate understanding of what menopause entails.
The need for more research
Menopause research has been historically neglected, resulting in a lack of comprehensive understanding and effective treatments.
‘On average, females will live about a third of their lives postmenopausal.’
We lack data to understand how menopause affects aging and how it might contribute to disease or age-related declines. In preclinical models, it’s something that we just haven’t effectively addressed, and so we haven’t been able to study it well.(Walsh, January 2024) Much of the existing research has focused on hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which, while beneficial for some, is not suitable for all women. There is a pressing need for more diverse research that explores a variety of treatment options, including lifestyle interventions, alternative therapies, and the role of nutrition and
exercise in managing symptoms. Increased research funding and attention can lead to more effective, personalized care for women undergoing menopause.
Improving medical education and professional training
To improve care, it is crucial that medical education includes comprehensive training on menopause. This should encompass not only the physiological aspects but also the
psychological and social dimensions. By enhancing education, we can ensure that future healthcare providers are better prepared to support women through this transition.
The usual, the unique, the challenging
There are some amazing female doctors and scientists leading the charge to understand the phases of menopause and how to best support women during this time of life. In the past, we’ve known about ‘the usual’ symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. They include:
Hot flashes/night sweats
Weight Gain
Brain fog
Mood fluctuations
Low Libido
Uncomfortable Intercourse
Hair thinning/Facial Hair
Menstrual cycles irregular/Done
As women come forward with their symptoms and as more women enter the scientific research field focusing on women’s health across the phases of her life, we are now learning about many more possible and unique symptoms. They include:
Change in body odor
Tinnitus
Tingling Extremities
Crawling feeling under your skin
Breast pain/changes
Digestive Issues
Burning Tongue
Dry skin/Rosacea like patches
And then, there are symptoms that mimic more serious medical issues and should not be dismissed as menopausal. It’s important to take all changes seriously and speak to a qualified medical provider to investigate the origin of these symptoms. They include:
Heart palpitations
Depression
Anxiety
Dizziness
Insomnia
Vaginal pain/infection
Memory issues
Osteoporosis/Sarcopenia
Elevated cholesterol/sugar/blood pressure
The role of health coaches and support networks
As a midlife women’s health coach, I believe I play a pivotal role in supporting women through all phases of menopause. My approach includes educating women about the lifestyle changes they can make to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Key areas of focus include:
Nutrition support
A balanced diet rich in vitamins & minerals particularly calcium, magnesium and vitamin D, fiber and whole foods can help alleviate some menopause symptoms. Educating women about the importance of nutrition and how to make healthier food choices is essential.
Exercise
Regular physical activity can reduce hot flashes, improve mood, and promote overall health. Tailored exercise programs that consider a woman’s fitness level and preferences can be highly effective.
Sleep
Many women experience sleep disturbances during menopause. Strategies such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, creating a restful environment, and practicing relaxation techniques can improve sleep quality.
Stress management
Chronic stress can exacerbate menopause symptoms. Mindfulness, meditation, and other stress-reduction techniques can help women manage their stress levels and enhance their well-being.
Community
Building a supportive community where women can share their experiences and challenges can be incredibly empowering. Support groups, both in-person and online, provide a safe space for women to connect and learn from one another.
Changing the narrative: menopause as a positive transition
The cultural narrative around menopause often focuses on loss and decline, contributing to ageism and the notion of a midlife crisis. However, this life stage can also be a time of growth, self-discovery, and new opportunities. By challenging negative stereotypes and celebrating the potential for positive change, we can help women view menopause as a natural and rewarding phase of life. In fact, I encourage all my clients to reframe this phase of life as an opportunity. This is a time when we can turn the lens back onto our interests, creativity, desires and goals. It can be a rebirth.
Conclusion
Menopause is a significant and natural part of a woman’s life, but it does not have to be a time of suffering and silence. By fostering open conversations, advancing research, improving medical education, and providing holistic support, we can transform the menopause experience. As a health coach, I am committed to offering women the tools and knowledge they need to take charge of their health and well-being during midlife.
Together, we can create a world where women can embrace menopause with confidence and enjoy some of the best years of their lives. Join me.
Michele DeJesus, PhD, NBC-HWC, Health Coach/Weight Loss Specialist
Michele DeJesus, PhD, NBC-HWC is a board-certified & Mayo Clinic-certified Health Coach and an ACE-certified Personal Trainer with a PhD. in Holistic Nutrition. She is the CEO of a 26-year coaching business, successfully guiding adults in transforming their health, fitness and weight loss. Michele has been featured in the IDEA Health & Fitness online magazine as well as numerous television appearances speaking about fitness, weight loss and health. She is the host of the Facebook group, MIDLIFE CONFIDENCE: Women Conquering Weight Loss and the creator of an online 12-week weight loss intensive for midlife women. Her mission is to support midlife women in creating their own health & wellness Renaissance.
