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NAVIGATING THE PERI MENOPAUSE AND MENOPAUSE
By Dr Sally Dolan , SDS Rejuvenate
It is finally in 2022 that “ menopause ” has become a word we can freely use . Prior to this it would be behind a woman ’ s back one could be heard whispering " it ’ s because she ’ s going through the change " -the subject was taboo . Today you only need to switch on morning TV , scroll through your device or pick up a magazine and someone , somewhere is talking about the menopause . This has been highlighted by a number of well-known , well respected , high-profile celebrities such as Penny Lancaster , Davina McCall , Mariella Frostrup and Lisa Snowdon . They have openly discussed their personal issues and together have campaigned for reform in the menopause support at the House of Commons during the Menopause Mandate event in June this year .
It is because of this I thought it was probably time to write a little bit about the menopause . In fact , I got so carried away and so passionate preparing an article for Wirral Life Magazine before I knew it , I had written six pages . Obviously this is not appropriate for my usual one page article in the magazine but I have added this to our website just in case anyone feels inclined to spend more than five minutes reading about the subject- please refer to our website www . sdsrejuvenate . co . uk .
We are commonly approached in our clinics by women with questions about the changes they are experiencing or noticing as they negotiate the peri menopause and menopause and they admit they are feeling very negative about themselves . Women are often having symptoms as early as in their 40s and this coincides at a time when they have young children , demanding jobs , busy social lives etc , and it all becomes just too much !
I cannot tell you how many times a woman comes into clinic and says “ I don ’ t recognise that person looking back at me in the mirror anymore ” or “ I have simply aged overnight ” then look back across the desk and say “ What has happened to me ? What can I do , what can you do ?” Anyone who is suffering or has suffered will recognise these typical signs- the increase in the lines and wrinkles , the crepey skin , sagging and development of jowls , the loss of those lovely plump cheeks and high cheekbones , even acne outbreaks and facial hair growth .
It is not just the face , suddenly without warning the toned body seems to have been replaced by “ middle-age spread ” that , despite diet and exercise , you just do not seem to be able to win the battle of the bulge . It is these aspects of the peri menopause / menopause that in our clinics we really can help you .
We can advise on skincare . After undergoing a skin analysis , we can prescribe a comprehensive cosmeceutical skincare regime to really hydrate , brighten and firm your menopausal skin . We may advise in-clinic treatments with the aim to stimulate collagen and elastin e . g . Using techniques such as Morpheus8 , skin boosting injections and laser treatments ( 4D laser facelift ). 30 % of skin collagen ( type 1 and type 11 ) is lost in the first 5 years of menopause and declines at a rate of 2 % every year for 15 years . Menopause also causes areas of pigmentation to develop especially on the face and the backs of hands . There are many treatments available to fade or even banish these unwanted age spots . These include cosmeceutical skincare , laser , CryoPen and skin peels .
We can address the volume loss in your face and other changes in your face . We obviously need to address the skin laxity , but we can further enhance your appearance using hyaluronic acid dermal fillers which subtly revolumise areas in the face where you have lost fat pads and hence volume . This is subtle but addresses the tired look , the sunken cheeks , and the deeper and more marked lines in the lower face ( nasolabial folds and marionette lines ). The effect of treatment is immediate in that you can see the lifting and volumisation as you look in the mirror , however it is the boost to one ’ s confidence and self-esteem which is monumental and rewarding .
Lines and wrinkles can be softened using anti-wrinkle injections . Facial hair can also be a disturbing aspect of the menopause but either a course of laser treatment or electrolysis can successfully banish this embarrassing problem without breaking the bank .
Unwanted changes to your body can be addressed with a combination of body contouring treatments . Using fat freezing techniques , we reduce the pockets of stubborn fat that just will not go despite diet and real effort of exercise . The crepyness of the skin can be improved using micro needling combined with radio frequency , ( Morpheus8 .) In some cases , radio frequency alone , ( Forma ) or laser technologies can be successful , particularly when treating the inner thighs and the upper arm areas .
I have obviously not touched on any of the medical treatments or alternative therapies that are available for treatment of the perimenopause and menopause but please do refer to our website for more detailed information . I hope however this article has given you an insight of the just some of the treatments that are available in our clinics . It is often a combination of treatments that are needed in order to help you navigate this difficult time of your life , but with support this should be a time when you realise your own potential , feel good about yourself and celebrate what you have achieved in life . It is a time when you should feel enriched and feel able to look ahead to the future with confidence and enthusiasm .
My decision to write an article about the menopause incidentally coincided with the book launch of ‘ Menopausing ’ co-written by Davina McCall and Dr Naomi Potter . I was privileged to attend this event held by Sue from Linghams bookshop at Thornton Hall . I had to add this paragraph purely to highlight this book as I believe it is an essential read for all women and to be honest , for all men . It is entertaining , brutally honest , tear jerking , enlightening and above all gives you hope at a time when you need it most .
58 wirrallife . com