The Life Changing And Unknown Side Effect of Menopause with Mairi Thompson

In this episode, Mairi Thomson talks about a little known side effect of peri-menopause and menopause: bone density loss.  There is a huge need for women to become aware of this condition and be proactive in managing their bone density before any loss becomes irreversible.  In this episode, Mairi Thompson shares her own experience of being diagnosed with osteopenia, a condition that can lead to osteoporosis, and how it prompted her to find out as much as she could about the topic and then teach others about the importance of bone health. Key Takeaways: Bone density loss is a silent symptom of menopause that often goes unnoticed and unaddressed. Women over 40 are at a higher risk for osteopenia and osteoporosis due to hormonal changes and other factors. Building strong bones before entering perimenopause can help prevent further bone density loss. Strength training and weight-bearing exercises are crucial for maintaining bone health during menopause. Increasing protein intake, especially at breakfast, can support muscle and bone health. Timestamps: 0:02:00 | Mari's experience with perimenopause and shock of symptoms 0:05:18 | The importance of bone density and risk factors for osteoporosis 0:10:29 | Cost and coverage of bone scan test 0:11:46 | The impact of oestrogen in menopause 0:12:39 | How to monitor oestrogen levels and manage symptoms 0:16:56 | The changes we can make in exercise, diet, and stress management to support bone health 0:17:25 | The impact of hormones, metabolism, and inflammation on weight and energy 0:18:29 | Differences in fat storage and energy utilisation during menopause 0:21:30 | How inflammation and stress affect food absorption and fat storage 0:25:43 | Why doing the same exercise routine won't work in menopause 0:26:46 | How menopause can negatively impact body confidence and self-esteem 0:31:43 | Why oestrogen is necessary for building muscle mass 0:33:20 | How to embrace menopause as a time of reflection and empowerment 0:39:03 | How to get in touch with Mari Thompson at BodyMindBones.com Quotes: "You can't cut out health the symptoms of perimenopause, but you can make your symptoms better." - Mari Thompson "If you can build your bone density bank before you hit perimenopause, you have a much better chance of maintaining your bone density." - Mari Thompson "Strength and weight training has been proven to burn belly fat and build muscle mass." - Mari Thompson Listen, watch and find out more here: https://mmmpodcast.me/ep217