Ikehi’s thoughts on manopause and how it affect us all

Ikehi Sharing awareness

The need to share my perspective on menopause as a man, friend and personal trainer came about through conversations with friends and clients sharing their personal thoughts and struggles associated with trying to deal with this, often in silence. 

It touched me not only on a personal, but also on a professional level, the challenges women face trying to navigate this phase of life along with fulfilling their everyday responsibilities whether at home, work or social settings often without a supportive framework and the lack of open discussion. 

I felt the need to share my thoughts on this due to how isolated both men and women can feel trying to cope with the changes that happen during this transitional phase in women’s lives. 

Seeing the complexity, emotion and depth of the loneliness attached to dealing with menopause, I could see there was a need for more awareness.

This was a driving force for me to seek more understanding. 

Menopause has really struck a chord with me and lead me to try and make sense of this condition that is inevitable at some point to affect us all in some shape or form.

While spending time with a good friend he told me about his emotional pain, frustration and the helplessness he felt not being able to help his wife to seek the necessary help and her unwillingness to take his guidance to get professional help.

At first the solution to his experience seemed clear when he broke down his wife’s symptoms of difficulties sleeping, insomnia, tiredness, night sweats, weight gain, anxiety and feeling generally depleted. But I also felt there was a lack of understanding on his part, through no fault of his own, to also change his way of communicating with herwhich would help him to listen and adjust his mindset for a quick fix. 

Believe me I really felt his frustration, but I also understood his wife as she was the one going through it all. 

By taking a step back and researching and gaining more knowledge about the menopause you will definitely change your whole approach and guide you to apply the patience needed to give and provide the right support to your partner. 

By educating and seeking knowledge on the chemical effects that occur in the body like a decline in plasma which impact the sex hormones that regulate ovarian function that result in low levels of oestrogen will without question effect you emotionally and determine your mood and how you interact with others. 

This article is just to raise awareness that help is at hand in how you best can support friends and loved ones going through this and to give hope by getting the right treatment can help you manage this condition. 

Exercise emerges as a crucial element in managing the effects of menopause.

Strength training can play an important part in combating and counteracting some of the symptoms by improving your heart health, encouraging better sleep and reducing anxiety and low moods, allowing you to take back control of your life. 

Sharing my interest to write about menopause, has been embraced by friends and clients and welcomed with such positive support accompanied with their own personal stories and struggles.

Ikehi continue to believe in the power of togetherness and sharing awareness. 

I also want to end this article by making it clear that I totally support all women going though this difficult time and I tailor my fitness support by prioritising understanding, trust and patience. 

We hear your voice. We also continue to provide education, comfort and support to all that are affected by menopause, both men and women.

Having a better understanding will allow us to support the ones we love and care about. 

 Stay blessed 

 Bobby Moka