RUNNING & MENOPAUSE

By Vanessa Yingling

I wanted to share some resources for the female runners in our group who are “starting,” “going through,” and “through but still feeling symptoms” of menopause (perimenopausal, menopausal, and postmenopausal). I have been frustrated that there is very little research on those of us who are VERY active and still competitive in sport. The good news—there is increased attention on this population in the research world and beyond, but the bad news—with attention we become a segment of the population that is the focus of many bogus products and treatments. Here are a few resources focused on menopause in general and active women who are going through menopause:

• Dr. Jen Gunter is a local physician who is very active on Twitter and Instagram and is very evidence based and VERY unapologetic, she has no tolerance for “mis-information.” She has a blog and wrote The Menopause Manifesto.

• Another podcast features Dr. Kate Ackerman; her research is starting to focus on menopausal women, an interesting episode.

• Dr. Stacy Sims did some interesting work with the Women’s Health Initiative data and is focused on strength training and women.

• Other organizations are spreading the word that menopause is not a “condition” but a natural part of aging (the alternative is not great) and we should all continue to be as active and competitive as possible