Today is Menopause Day through the International Menopause Society. This year, they are focusing on brain fog and memory difficulties during menopause. Now, this is a topic that is near and dear to my heart, as I am going through it. But, does keto hurt or help? Let’s take a look at dealing with menopause on keto.
What is Menopause?
Menopause is the time in a woman’s life when she stops having periods for one year. This happens due to a decrease in hormones. This transition usually happens with women between the ages of 45 and 55, the average age being 51. That’s the official diagnosis of menopause, however, it can be years of side effects leading up to this point.
Side Effects of Menopause
The obvious side effect is having irregular periods. For me, I had a hysterectomy, so I don’t have them at all anymore. I have to depend on the many other side effects to know that I’m going through a transition into menopause. And, there are many. None of them are a lot of fun. They include:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Mood changes
- Brain fog and memory problems
- Thinning hair
- Dry skin
- Vaginal dryness
- Chills
- Sleep problems
- Weight gain and slowed metabolism
- “Menopause blues”
- Loss of breast fullness.
Wow. Being a woman is so much fun! How did we get so lucky???
Dealing with the Side Effects of Menopause on Keto
Much of the research I looked at for this article talked a lot about the physical side effects. I didn’t find a lot of information on the mood changes, brain fog, or emotions that go along with menopause. It’s really nice that the International Menopause Society is focusing on the cognative changes this year, because it’s not talked about a lot. But, it makes sense that a change in your hormone levels will change your brain function.
Keto is designed to keep hormone levels stable, especially insulin. Menopause is a time in a woman’s life when the hormone levels are all over the place! It makes sense to me that keto helps with the process and keeps the side effects minimal.
My Experience of Menopause on Keto
Because keto hasn’t really been researched as a long-term lifestyle, the specifics of eating keto while going through menopause has also not been studied much. So, I’m going away from the research and letting you know my personal experience. This doesn’t mean it will be the same for everyone, it’s just my experience.
So far, I’m not experiencing a lot of issues with my memory or “brain fog.” That might be because I’m a checklist junkie, or it might be because keto helps with keeping me alert and focused.
I also am not having a lot of the “menopause blues” that some women struggle with. It’s a time when women come to terms with the fact that we are not having any more children. It’s also a time when we struggle with the fact that we are, indeed, aging and coming to terms with our own mortality. I have talked before about how I have experienced an improvement in my mental health since starting keto. I think that has helped me a lot. As well, I came to terms with that fact back several years ago when I had my hysterectomy. If anything, I’m enjoying life more now than ever!
Can You Lose Weight During Menopause?
The big one here is the side effect of weight gain and slowing of your metabolism. When I see women who went to school with me, they are amazed that I have lost weight at this point in my life. Those who were always the size I dreamed of being are asking me for diet advice. It’s a pretty amazing thing.
Let me be clear here; I do not believe you need to be the same size you were in high school. That’s not realistic, and it’s not the way our bodies work. I have had a child so my body is not the same as it was when I was 18. But, by eating keto, I am at a weight where I am comfortable and I feel good in my own body.
A Final Thought About Menopause on Keto
At any point in your life, it’s all about your health and how you feel. Keto makes me feel good and gives me more energy than I’ve had in many, many years. I have the energy to try new things and go out to do those things (like riding motorcycles). It also gives me the outlook that my life is not ending, this journey is just beginning.
Wendy
