WEIGHTLIFTING HELPED EASE MY MENOPAUSE SYMPTOMS

Michelle Geraghty-Corns** is from Leicester. I started powerlifting a year ago and have never looked back. When we enter menopause, our oestrogen levels begin to fall, which reduces bone density. When we do strength training, this helps to keep our bones strong, since the movement stimulates bone growth. Powerlifting can help to reduce the risk of osteoporosis and fractures after menopause, since it supports the maintenance of bone mineral density.

Women going through menopause can experience accelerated muscle loss from hormonal changes, but what many don’t know is that you can combat this with powerlifting. It builds muscle mass and strength, which can enhance functional ability and balance, and reduce the risk of falls. It can also improve heart health by lowering blood pressure, reducing bad cholesterol, and increasing good cholesterol when you combine it with cardiovascular exercise. Powerlifting can boost self-esteem. It empowered me to experience my own

strength and capability, which has helped to get me out of the funk of menopause symptoms. In menopause, women can have heightened levels of stress and anxiety, as well as disruptions in sleep due to hormonal changes. The focused effort and physical exertion in powerlifting can help to ease this.

I found that having this new goal and hobby has helped to give me more headspace where I can focus on something beyond menopause symptoms. Before I started powerlifting, I felt I was losing control due to the changes in my body, but now I feel like I have that power back, and I’ve never been stronger.