{"id":139092,"date":"2026-07-01T08:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T12:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.strongfitnessmag.com\/?p=139092"},"modified":"2026-06-30T12:04:00","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T16:04:00","slug":"time-to-talk-about-menopause","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.strongfitnessmag.com\/health\/time-to-talk-about-menopause\/","title":{"rendered":"It&#8217;s Time to Talk About Menopause"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.strongfitnessmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/about-that-time.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"139093\"  data-init-width=\"1400\"  data-init-height=\"898\" title=\"about-that-time\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-width=\"696\" data-height=\"446\" style=\"aspect-ratio: auto 1400 \/ 898;\" ml-d=\"0\" mt-d=\"-3.1720000000000255\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"139093\" width=\"696\" data-init-width=\"1400\" height=\"446\" data-init-height=\"898\" title=\"about-that-time\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.strongfitnessmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/about-that-time.jpg\" data-width=\"696\" data-height=\"446\" style=\"aspect-ratio: auto 1400 \/ 898;\" ml-d=\"0\" mt-d=\"-3.1720000000000255\"><\/noscript><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"\">Photo by Drobot Dean &#8211; stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n<p>Menopause and perimenopause loom over women of reproductive age like a guillotine\u2014or at least it can feel that way. And though the conversation surrounding these phases has fortunately been more open in recent years, there can still be a lot of surprises once you reach your thirties, forties, and fifties.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>To get to the bottom of it, <em>STRONG<\/em> spoke with experts who offered their insights into how these stages can affect your body, mind, mood, and much more.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"\"><strong><span style=\"--tcb-applied-color: rgb(22, 81, 56) !important; color: rgb(22, 81, 56) !important;\">Performance and Muscle Growth<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p style=\"\"><strong>\u201c<\/strong>The media has traditionally treated women over 40 as if they are fading into the background,\u201d laments Amanda Thebe, a 30-year veteran of the fitness industry and the author of <em>Menopocalypse: How I Learned to Thrive During Menopause and How You Can Too!<\/em><strong> \u201c<\/strong>The narrative continues to focus midlife women as either trying to look 20 years younger or dealing with a crisis. We rarely see women in their forties, fifties, and beyond portrayed as vibrant, athletic, powerful, and at the absolute peak of their lives.\u201d But Thebe stresses that this major physiological phase doesn\u2019t mean the end of strength or performance. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to settle for feeling less-than or assume your fittest days are behind you,\u201d she insists.<\/p>\n<p style=\"\">Still, fluctuating hormone levels will affect how you perform during your workouts, and studies have shown that during menopause fat mass increases while lean mass decreases, up to 0.6 percent annually in those who aren\u2019t strength training. That\u2019s a huge double-whammy to your body composition.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The best way to counteract this flux is\u2014drumroll, please\u2014strength training, of course. \u201cStrength training is one of the most powerful tools we have to combat muscle loss, support bone density, and improve metabolic health during menopause,\u201d says Dr. Mary Claire Haver, MD, FACOG, CMP, a board-certified obstetrics and gynecology specialist, founder of The \u2018Pause Life, and author of <em>The New Perimenopause. <\/em>Health organizations around the world generally recommend that women in perimenopause and menopause schedule two or three days of load-bearing exercise each week to help counteract the drop\u2014but as you may imagine, a few more well-planned weekly sessions can help even more. Work with a reputable trainer or coach to figure out the best plan for you.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"\"><strong>Recovery<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>It\u2019s not just how you exercise that can be affected by the rollercoaster of hormonal changes that occur during this time. How you recover following your workouts must change, too.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRecovery absolutely has to change during this phase because lower estrogen levels mean the body naturally takes a bit longer to repair muscle tissue after a hard workout,\u201d explains Thebe. \u201cIf we don\u2019t adjust our lifestyle to accommodate this shift, we end up chronically sore, tired, and much more prone to nagging injuries.\u201d This not only means spacing out your workouts to include rest days in between but also eating enough high-quality protein to support muscle repair. For active menopausal women, the Mayo Clinic recommends at least 1.0 to 1.2 grams of protein from a variety of plant and animal sources for each kilogram of bodyweight. And while some experts suggest spreading your protein across a number of meals, research has been mixed as to how effective this advice is for older adults.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>But back to getting the rest your changing body needs. \u201cWomen who have been active may notice they need more recovery time and a greater focus on progressive overload and protein intake,\u201d says Haver. \u201cThe goal shifts from just staying active to training with intention.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s also another related issue that\u2019s increasingly receiving attention: musculoskeletal syndrome, a term first coined in 2024 in the journal <em>Climacteric<\/em>. Basically, it\u2019s intense joint and muscle pain that occurs in up to 70 percent of perimenopausal and menopausal women, with 25 percent unable to function normally because of it. Once again, this is due to the drop in estrogen that women experience\u2014but the good news is that this can be supplemented with patches, pills, and creams prescribed by a doctor.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.strongfitnessmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/sandbag.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"139099\"  data-init-width=\"1400\"  data-init-height=\"833\" title=\"sandbag\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-width=\"696\" data-height=\"414\" style=\"aspect-ratio: auto 1400 \/ 833;\" ml-d=\"0\" mt-d=\"-8.039000000000044\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"139099\" width=\"696\" data-init-width=\"1400\" height=\"414\" data-init-height=\"833\" title=\"sandbag\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.strongfitnessmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/sandbag.jpg\" data-width=\"696\" data-height=\"414\" style=\"aspect-ratio: auto 1400 \/ 833;\" ml-d=\"0\" mt-d=\"-8.039000000000044\"><\/noscript><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"\">Photo by Yistocking &#8211; stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>\u201cThe goal shifts from just staying active to&nbsp;<\/strong><strong>training with intention.<\/strong><strong>\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"\"><strong>Bone Health<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>After your twenties and thirties, when your hormone levels are high and you\u2019re likely following a consistent muscle-building plan, your bone density can dramatically plummet. According to the Cleveland Clinic, you can lose up to 20 percent of your bone density in the first five years of menopause. But that doesn\u2019t mean fractures and osteoporosis are a sure thing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"\">\u201cTo feel stronger than ever, it\u2019s not about giving up cardio or the workouts we love, but rather ensuring we intentionally prioritize strength training alongside them to give our muscles and bones the direct stimulation they need to stay strong and healthy,\u201d says Thebe.<\/p>\n<p style=\"\">What else can you do? Test your bone density, ask your doctor about medication options like hormone therapy and bisphosphonates, watch your calcium and vitamin D intake\u2014and definitely start doing weight-bearing and resistance exercises if you haven\u2019t already.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"\"><span style=\"--tcb-applied-color: rgb(22, 81, 56) !important; color: rgb(22, 81, 56) !important;\">Defining Phases<\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"\"><strong><span style=\"\">Good news, ladies\u2014or maybe good-ish news. While perimenopause and menopause may not be avoidable, as a society we\u2019re beginning to move toward a place of understanding. <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201c<\/strong>We\u2019re finally seeing women speak openly about their symptoms and demand better care, and social media has accelerated that conversation in a powerful way,\u201d says Haver. \u201cFor too long, perimenopause was dismissed or misdiagnosed, but now patients are connecting the dots and pushing the medical community to catch up.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>But there\u2019s still some confusion as to <\/strong><strong><em>what <\/em><\/strong><strong>perimenopause and menopause truly are, even for the women experiencing them. To shed some light, we asked Dr. Francesco Callipari, MD, for the real, honest-to-goodness medical definition.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cPerimenopause is actually a transition, not a point in time; it\u2019s a continuum that occurs variably for many women,\u201d he says. \u201cFor some it can be as short as a year or two, but for others, it can extend to over 10 years.\u201d The main feature is that it\u2019s a period of time when estrogen production begins to decline in the lead-up to menopause, affecting many different systems across the body. Menopause, on the other hand, is when menstruation has stopped for at least 12 months, signaling the end of one\u2019s reproductive years.<\/p>\n<p><strong>But no matter where you are on the reproductive spectrum, remember that you know your body best, and if you feel your concerns are being dismissed by your healthcare professional, don\u2019t hesitate to speak up.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cAdvocate, advocate, advocate,\u201d advises Callipari. \u201cIf you don\u2019t feel heard, reach out to a different clinician. The field of menopausal medicine is rapidly advancing. We are learning so much more than what was taught to us in our medical training. Seek out a new physician that will listen to you thoughtfully.\u201d Which is excellent advice for any condition, come to think of it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.strongfitnessmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/relax.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"139102\"  data-init-width=\"1400\"  data-init-height=\"936\" title=\"relax\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-width=\"622\" data-height=\"416\" style=\"aspect-ratio: auto 1400 \/ 936;\" ml-d=\"0\" mt-d=\"-2\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"139102\" width=\"622\" data-init-width=\"1400\" height=\"416\" data-init-height=\"936\" title=\"relax\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.strongfitnessmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/relax.jpg\" data-width=\"622\" data-height=\"416\" style=\"aspect-ratio: auto 1400 \/ 936;\" ml-d=\"0\" mt-d=\"-2\"><\/noscript><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"\">Photo by Jacob Lund &#8211; stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>\u201c<\/strong><strong>Energy levels in your forties and fifties often take a hit<\/strong><strong>.<\/strong><strong>\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"\"><strong>Hair, Skin, and Teeth<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Skin elasticity and hair thinning are two side effects of menopause that are largely overlooked, says Haver. \u201cChanges in oral health, including gum sensitivity, can also emerge during this time,\u201d she adds. \u201cThese symptoms are all tied to declining estrogen and are very real, even if they are not widely discussed.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>And according to Dr. Francesco Callipari, MD, FACOG, medical director of the Carolyn Rowan Center for Women\u2019s Health and Wellness, and chief operating officer for the OB\/GYN service line at the Mount Sinai Health System, it\u2019s not just the face that\u2019s affected.<strong> \u201c<\/strong>The skin may also change texturally, and in particular, there is thinning of the genital skin,\u201d along with an increase in vaginal dryness, he points out. Luckily, there are hormonal creams and nonhormonal medications that can help, such as vaginal moisturizers and lubricants. Still, it\u2019s not one size fits all. \u201cWe approach our recommendations through a careful history with the patient and an individualized approach,\u201d he explains.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>As Haver noted, fluctuating hormones can also impact the health of your teeth and gums, increasing your risk of gingivitis and dry mouth (xerostomia, or reduced saliva production). Falling estrogen levels impact mucus membranes, including those in your mouth, so to keep ahead of issues try chewing gum, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, and keeping plenty of water handy. Using a humidifier at night can also help.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.strongfitnessmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/homeworkout.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"139101\"  data-init-width=\"1400\"  data-init-height=\"927\" title=\"homeworkout\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-width=\"674\" data-height=\"446\" style=\"aspect-ratio: auto 1400 \/ 927;\" ml-d=\"0\" mt-d=\"-4.156000000000006\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"139101\" width=\"674\" data-init-width=\"1400\" height=\"446\" data-init-height=\"927\" title=\"homeworkout\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.strongfitnessmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/homeworkout.jpg\" data-width=\"674\" data-height=\"446\" style=\"aspect-ratio: auto 1400 \/ 927;\" ml-d=\"0\" mt-d=\"-4.156000000000006\"><\/noscript><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"\">Photo by gzorgz &#8211; stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"\"><strong>Brain Drain and Mood Swings<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>It\u2019s not just in your head\u2014it\u2019s harder to remember things and keep your cool as menopause creeps up. <strong>\u201c<\/strong>There are definite correlations between perimenopause\/menopause and irritability, and often, there are mood swings. This can lead to a predisposition for depression,\u201d notes Callipari.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201c<\/strong>Brain fog and memory changes are very common [in menopause] and are often tied to fluctuating estrogen levels,\u201d Haver agrees, adding that the good news is that for most women these symptoms improve over time. She says that supporting sleep, managing stress, and considering hormone therapy when appropriate are all ways to thwart these negatives. \u201cCognitive engagement and regular exercise are also key tools to help protect brain health,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"\"><strong>Sleep<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Nighttime hot flashes can make getting to sleep, and staying there, difficult. Even worse, a lack of high-quality ZZZs can lead to irritability and depression\u2014an unfortunate cycle that compounds the mood highs and lows that come with menopause.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201c<\/strong>Energy levels in your forties and fifties often take a hit because fluctuating hormones can throw a major wrench into your sleep quality and quantity, leaving you dealing with night sweats and\/or insomnia,\u201d says Thebe. \u201cOn top of that, chronic fatigue is a direct symptom of menopause, which can leave you feeling completely wiped out regardless of how well you slept.\u201d Resist the temptation to push through exhaustion or top up your coffee mug one more time; instead, try working out earlier in the day and invest in drug-free ways to assist your slumber, like eye masks, fans, and white noise machines or apps. Sweet (or at least a bit sweeter) dreams!&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8230; and perimenopause! If you&#8217;re a woman of reproductive age, buckle up: we&#8217;re breaking down exactly what happens to your body in your forties, fifties, and beyond.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11335,"featured_media":139093,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":"","tve_updated_post":"<div class=\"thrv_wrapper tve_image_caption tve-image-caption-below\" data-css=\"tve-u-19f0483aaa7\"><span class=\"tve_image_frame\" style=\"\"><img class=\"tve_image wp-image-139093 tcb-moved-image td-animation-stack-type0-2\" alt=\"A woman in menopause stretches outside before going for a run.\" data-id=\"139093\" width=\"640\" data-init-width=\"1400\" height=\"411\" data-init-height=\"898\" title=\"about-that-time\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.strongfitnessmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/about-that-time.jpg\" data-width=\"640\" data-height=\"411\" style=\"aspect-ratio: auto 1400 \/ 898;\" data-css=\"tve-u-19f0485adff\" ml-d=\"0\" mt-d=\"-3.1720000000000255\"><\/span><p class=\"thrv_wrapper wp-caption-text thrv-inline-text\" style=\"\" data-css=\"tve-u-19f04840464\">Photo by Drobot Dean - stock.adobe.com<\/p><\/div><div class=\"thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element\"><p>Menopause and perimenopause loom over women of reproductive age like a guillotine\u2014or at least it can feel that way. And though the conversation surrounding these phases has fortunately been more open in recent years, there can still be a lot of surprises once you reach your thirties, forties, and fifties.&nbsp;<\/p><p>To get to the bottom of it, <em>STRONG<\/em> spoke with experts who offered their insights into how these stages can affect your body, mind, mood, and much more.<\/p><h3 class=\"\" style=\"\" data-css=\"tve-u-19f048976eb\"><strong><span style=\"--tcb-applied-color: rgb(22, 81, 56) !important; color: rgb(22, 81, 56) !important;\" data-css=\"tve-u-19f0489638e\">Performance and Muscle Growth<\/span><\/strong><\/h3><p data-css=\"tve-u-19f048b2351\" style=\"\"><strong>\u201c<\/strong>The media has traditionally treated women over 40 as if they are fading into the background,\u201d laments Amanda Thebe, a 30-year veteran of the fitness industry and the author of <em>Menopocalypse: How I Learned to Thrive During Menopause and How You Can Too!<\/em><strong> \u201c<\/strong>The narrative continues to focus midlife women as either trying to look 20 years younger or dealing with a crisis. We rarely see women in their forties, fifties, and beyond portrayed as vibrant, athletic, powerful, and at the absolute peak of their lives.\u201d But Thebe stresses that this major physiological phase doesn\u2019t mean the end of strength or performance. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to settle for feeling less-than or assume your fittest days are behind you,\u201d she insists.<\/p><p data-css=\"tve-u-19f048976ec\" style=\"\">Still, fluctuating hormone levels will affect how you perform during your workouts, and studies have shown that during menopause fat mass increases while lean mass decreases, up to 0.6 percent annually in those who aren\u2019t strength training. That\u2019s a huge double-whammy to your body composition.&nbsp;<\/p><p>The best way to counteract this flux is\u2014drumroll, please\u2014strength training, of course. \u201cStrength training is one of the most powerful tools we have to combat muscle loss, support bone density, and improve metabolic health during menopause,\u201d says Dr. Mary Claire Haver, MD, FACOG, CMP, a board-certified obstetrics and gynecology specialist, founder of The \u2018Pause Life, and author of <em>The New Perimenopause. <\/em>Health organizations around the world generally recommend that women in perimenopause and menopause schedule two or three days of load-bearing exercise each week to help counteract the drop\u2014but as you may imagine, a few more well-planned weekly sessions can help even more. Work with a reputable trainer or coach to figure out the best plan for you.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element\"><h3 class=\"\" style=\"\" data-css=\"tve-u-19f048b6006\"><strong>Recovery<\/strong><\/h3><p>It\u2019s not just how you exercise that can be affected by the rollercoaster of hormonal changes that occur during this time. How you recover following your workouts must change, too.<\/p><p>\u201cRecovery absolutely has to change during this phase because lower estrogen levels mean the body naturally takes a bit longer to repair muscle tissue after a hard workout,\u201d explains Thebe. \u201cIf we don\u2019t adjust our lifestyle to accommodate this shift, we end up chronically sore, tired, and much more prone to nagging injuries.\u201d This not only means spacing out your workouts to include rest days in between but also eating enough high-quality protein to support muscle repair. For active menopausal women, the Mayo Clinic recommends at least 1.0 to 1.2 grams of protein from a variety of plant and animal sources for each kilogram of bodyweight. And while some experts suggest spreading your protein across a number of meals, research has been mixed as to how effective this advice is for older adults.&nbsp;<\/p><p>But back to getting the rest your changing body needs. \u201cWomen who have been active may notice they need more recovery time and a greater focus on progressive overload and protein intake,\u201d says Haver. \u201cThe goal shifts from just staying active to training with intention.\u201d<\/p><p>There\u2019s also another related issue that\u2019s increasingly receiving attention: musculoskeletal syndrome, a term first coined in 2024 in the journal <em>Climacteric<\/em>. Basically, it\u2019s intense joint and muscle pain that occurs in up to 70 percent of perimenopausal and menopausal women, with 25 percent unable to function normally because of it. Once again, this is due to the drop in estrogen that women experience\u2014but the good news is that this can be supplemented with patches, pills, and creams prescribed by a doctor.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"thrv_wrapper tve_image_caption tve-image-caption-below\" data-css=\"tve-u-19f048be389\"><span class=\"tve_image_frame\" style=\"\"><img class=\"tve_image tcb-moved-image td-animation-stack-type0-2 wp-image-139099\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"139099\" width=\"696\" data-init-width=\"1400\" height=\"414\" data-init-height=\"833\" title=\"sandbag\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.strongfitnessmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/sandbag.jpg\" data-width=\"696\" data-height=\"414\" style=\"aspect-ratio: auto 1400 \/ 833;\" data-css=\"tve-u-19f048be38c\" ml-d=\"0\" mt-d=\"-8.039000000000044\"><\/span><p class=\"thrv_wrapper wp-caption-text thrv-inline-text\" style=\"\" data-css=\"tve-u-19f04840464\">Photo by Yistocking - stock.adobe.com<\/p><\/div><div class=\"thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element\" data-css=\"tve-u-19f048d1f86\" style=\"\"><p data-css=\"tve-u-19f048cdc39\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>\u201cThe goal shifts from just staying active to&nbsp;<\/strong><strong>training with intention.<\/strong><strong>\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/div><div class=\"thrv_wrapper thrv-divider\" data-style-d=\"tve_sep-2\" data-thickness-d=\"3\" data-color-d=\"rgb(66, 66, 66)\" data-gradient-d=\"linear-gradient(90deg, rgb(66, 66, 66) 0%, rgb(0, 0, 0) 100%)\" data-css=\"tve-u-19f048c9e5a\">\n\t<hr class=\"tve_sep tve_sep-2\" style=\"\">\n<\/div><div class=\"thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element\"><h3 class=\"\" style=\"\" data-css=\"tve-u-19f048c59f1\"><strong>Bone Health<\/strong><\/h3><p>After your twenties and thirties, when your hormone levels are high and you\u2019re likely following a consistent muscle-building plan, your bone density can dramatically plummet. According to the Cleveland Clinic, you can lose up to 20 percent of your bone density in the first five years of menopause. But that doesn\u2019t mean fractures and osteoporosis are a sure thing.&nbsp;<\/p><p style=\"\" data-css=\"tve-u-19f048d854e\">\u201cTo feel stronger than ever, it\u2019s not about giving up cardio or the workouts we love, but rather ensuring we intentionally prioritize strength training alongside them to give our muscles and bones the direct stimulation they need to stay strong and healthy,\u201d says Thebe.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element\"><p style=\"\" data-css=\"tve-u-19f048d7b3d\">What else can you do? Test your bone density, ask your doctor about medication options like hormone therapy and bisphosphonates, watch your calcium and vitamin D intake\u2014and definitely start doing weight-bearing and resistance exercises if you haven\u2019t already.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element\"><h3 class=\"\" data-css=\"tve-u-19f048ec200\" style=\"\"><span style=\"--tcb-applied-color: rgb(22, 81, 56) !important; color: rgb(22, 81, 56) !important;\" data-css=\"tve-u-19f048ed151\">Defining Phases<\/span><\/h3><p style=\"\" data-css=\"tve-u-19f048f0ca6\"><strong><span style=\"\" data-css=\"tve-u-19f048ea2f4\">Good news, ladies\u2014or maybe good-ish news. While perimenopause and menopause may not be avoidable, as a society we\u2019re beginning to move toward a place of understanding. <\/span><\/strong><\/p><p><strong>\u201c<\/strong>We\u2019re finally seeing women speak openly about their symptoms and demand better care, and social media has accelerated that conversation in a powerful way,\u201d says Haver. \u201cFor too long, perimenopause was dismissed or misdiagnosed, but now patients are connecting the dots and pushing the medical community to catch up.\u201d<\/p><p><strong>But there\u2019s still some confusion as to <\/strong><strong><em>what <\/em><\/strong><strong>perimenopause and menopause truly are, even for the women experiencing them. To shed some light, we asked Dr. Francesco Callipari, MD, for the real, honest-to-goodness medical definition.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p><p>\u201cPerimenopause is actually a transition, not a point in time; it\u2019s a continuum that occurs variably for many women,\u201d he says. \u201cFor some it can be as short as a year or two, but for others, it can extend to over 10 years.\u201d The main feature is that it\u2019s a period of time when estrogen production begins to decline in the lead-up to menopause, affecting many different systems across the body. Menopause, on the other hand, is when menstruation has stopped for at least 12 months, signaling the end of one\u2019s reproductive years.<\/p><p><strong>But no matter where you are on the reproductive spectrum, remember that you know your body best, and if you feel your concerns are being dismissed by your healthcare professional, don\u2019t hesitate to speak up.<\/strong><\/p><p>\u201cAdvocate, advocate, advocate,\u201d advises Callipari. \u201cIf you don\u2019t feel heard, reach out to a different clinician. The field of menopausal medicine is rapidly advancing. We are learning so much more than what was taught to us in our medical training. Seek out a new physician that will listen to you thoughtfully.\u201d Which is excellent advice for any condition, come to think of it.&nbsp;<\/p><\/div><div class=\"thrv_wrapper tve_image_caption tve-image-caption-below\" data-css=\"tve-u-19f0490d6e8\" style=\"\"><span class=\"tve_image_frame\" style=\"\"><img class=\"tve_image tcb-moved-image td-animation-stack-type0-2 wp-image-139102\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"139102\" width=\"622\" data-init-width=\"1400\" height=\"416\" data-init-height=\"936\" title=\"relax\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.strongfitnessmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/relax.jpg\" data-width=\"622\" data-height=\"416\" style=\"aspect-ratio: auto 1400 \/ 936;\" data-css=\"tve-u-19f0490d6ef\" ml-d=\"0\" mt-d=\"-2\"><\/span><p class=\"thrv_wrapper wp-caption-text thrv-inline-text\" style=\"\" data-css=\"tve-u-19f04840464\">Photo by Jacob Lund - stock.adobe.com<\/p><\/div><div class=\"thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element\" data-css=\"tve-u-19f04927ef4\" style=\"\"><p data-css=\"tve-u-19f0492471f\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>\u201c<\/strong><strong>Energy levels in your forties and fifties often take a hit<\/strong><strong>.<\/strong><strong>\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/div><div class=\"thrv_wrapper thrv-divider\" data-style-d=\"tve_sep-2\" data-thickness-d=\"3\" data-color-d=\"rgb(66, 66, 66)\" data-gradient-d=\"linear-gradient(90deg, rgb(66, 66, 66) 0%, rgb(0, 0, 0) 100%)\" data-css=\"tve-u-19f04929569\">\n\t<hr class=\"tve_sep tve_sep-2\" style=\"\">\n<\/div><div class=\"thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element\"><h3 class=\"\" style=\"\" data-css=\"tve-u-19f04919db9\"><strong>Hair, Skin, and Teeth<\/strong><\/h3><p>Skin elasticity and hair thinning are two side effects of menopause that are largely overlooked, says Haver. \u201cChanges in oral health, including gum sensitivity, can also emerge during this time,\u201d she adds. \u201cThese symptoms are all tied to declining estrogen and are very real, even if they are not widely discussed.\u201d<\/p><\/div><div class=\"thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element\"><p>And according to Dr. Francesco Callipari, MD, FACOG, medical director of the Carolyn Rowan Center for Women\u2019s Health and Wellness, and chief operating officer for the OB\/GYN service line at the Mount Sinai Health System, it\u2019s not just the face that\u2019s affected.<strong> \u201c<\/strong>The skin may also change texturally, and in particular, there is thinning of the genital skin,\u201d along with an increase in vaginal dryness, he points out. Luckily, there are hormonal creams and nonhormonal medications that can help, such as vaginal moisturizers and lubricants. Still, it\u2019s not one size fits all. \u201cWe approach our recommendations through a careful history with the patient and an individualized approach,\u201d he explains.&nbsp;<\/p><p>As Haver noted, fluctuating hormones can also impact the health of your teeth and gums, increasing your risk of gingivitis and dry mouth (xerostomia, or reduced saliva production). Falling estrogen levels impact mucus membranes, including those in your mouth, so to keep ahead of issues try chewing gum, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, and keeping plenty of water handy. Using a humidifier at night can also help.&nbsp;<\/p><\/div><div class=\"thrv_wrapper tve_image_caption tve-image-caption-below\" data-css=\"tve-u-19f0493195c\" style=\"\"><span class=\"tve_image_frame\" style=\"\"><img class=\"tve_image tcb-moved-image td-animation-stack-type0-2 wp-image-139101\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"139101\" width=\"674\" data-init-width=\"1400\" height=\"446\" data-init-height=\"927\" title=\"homeworkout\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.strongfitnessmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/homeworkout.jpg\" data-width=\"674\" data-height=\"446\" style=\"aspect-ratio: auto 1400 \/ 927;\" data-css=\"tve-u-19f0493195e\" ml-d=\"0\" mt-d=\"-4.156000000000006\"><\/span><p class=\"thrv_wrapper wp-caption-text thrv-inline-text\" style=\"\" data-css=\"tve-u-19f04840464\">Photo by gzorgz - stock.adobe.com<\/p><\/div><div class=\"thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element\"><h3 class=\"\" style=\"\" data-css=\"tve-u-19f04938b23\"><strong>Brain Drain and Mood Swings<\/strong><\/h3><p>It\u2019s not just in your head\u2014it\u2019s harder to remember things and keep your cool as menopause creeps up. <strong>\u201c<\/strong>There are definite correlations between perimenopause\/menopause and irritability, and often, there are mood swings. This can lead to a predisposition for depression,\u201d notes Callipari.<\/p><p><strong>\u201c<\/strong>Brain fog and memory changes are very common [in menopause] and are often tied to fluctuating estrogen levels,\u201d Haver agrees, adding that the good news is that for most women these symptoms improve over time. She says that supporting sleep, managing stress, and considering hormone therapy when appropriate are all ways to thwart these negatives. \u201cCognitive engagement and regular exercise are also key tools to help protect brain health,\u201d she adds.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element\"><h3 class=\"\" style=\"\" data-css=\"tve-u-19f0495e5b6\"><strong>Sleep<\/strong><\/h3><p>Nighttime hot flashes can make getting to sleep, and staying there, difficult. Even worse, a lack of high-quality ZZZs can lead to irritability and depression\u2014an unfortunate cycle that compounds the mood highs and lows that come with menopause.<\/p><p><strong>\u201c<\/strong>Energy levels in your forties and fifties often take a hit because fluctuating hormones can throw a major wrench into your sleep quality and quantity, leaving you dealing with night sweats and\/or insomnia,\u201d says Thebe. \u201cOn top of that, chronic fatigue is a direct symptom of menopause, which can leave you feeling completely wiped out regardless of how well you slept.\u201d Resist the temptation to push through exhaustion or top up your coffee mug one more time; instead, try working out earlier in the day and invest in drug-free ways to assist your slumber, like eye masks, fans, and white noise machines or apps. Sweet (or at least a bit sweeter) dreams!&nbsp;<\/p><\/div>","tve_custom_css":"@media (min-width: 300px){[data-css=\"tve-u-19f0483aaa7\"] { width: 1400px; }:not(#tve) [data-css=\"tve-u-19f04840464\"] { font-size: 10px !important; }[data-css=\"tve-u-19f0483aaa7\"] .tve_image_frame { height: 441.966px; }[data-css=\"tve-u-19f0485adff\"] { margin-top: -3.172px; margin-left: 0px; width: 100% !important; max-width: none !important; }[data-css=\"tve-u-19f0489638e\"] { --tcb-applied-color: rgb(22,81,56) !important; color: rgb(22, 81, 56) !important; }:not(#tve) [data-css=\"tve-u-19f048976eb\"] { padding-bottom: 7px !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; }:not(#tve) [data-css=\"tve-u-19f048976ec\"] { padding-bottom: 26px !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; }:not(#tve) [data-css=\"tve-u-19f048b2351\"] { padding-bottom: 26px !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; }:not(#tve) [data-css=\"tve-u-19f048b6006\"] { color: rgb(22, 81, 56) !important; --tcb-applied-color: rgb(22,81,56) !important; 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