Meet the Midster who knows all about the dark side of dating apps
+ Hormone health 101 • Rifle Paper Co. furniture at Target
Hormone health 101
Meet the 6 hormones that affect your life during menopause
You already know that perimenopause and menopause are all about changing hormones. But which hormones are they, what do they do — and why do they have such a major impact on your life?
First, the basics: Menopause is the complete cessation of your menstrual cycle. Medically you are considered to be in menopause if you haven’t had a period for 12 continuous months. Perimenopause refers to the natural transition from your normal reproductive cycle to menopause. However, this period-free phase of life comes with its own set of health issues, which are due to the hormonal changes your body undergoes. So, here’s a breakdown of the hormones involved in this phase (estrogen, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, and serotonin).
Estrogen
You have probably heard a lot about estrogen, but how does it affect your life? Basically, estrogen (along with progesterone) helps you to have a normal reproductive cycle. Menopause decreases your estrogen levels as the supply of mature eggs in your ovaries diminishes and you begin to produce less and less estrogen. This loss of ovarian estrogen results in the commonly seen and discussed menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness.
The loss of estrogen doesn’t affect only your reproductive system. Premenopausal women have a much lower incidence of cardiovascular disease than men, as estrogen plays a protective role. Estrogen lowers your bad cholesterol (HDL) and increases your good cholesterol (LDL) which protects you against blockage in your arteries. However, this benefit is lost once you hit menopause and studies have shown a dramatic increase in atherosclerosis (a thickening or hardening of arteries caused by a buildup of plaque in an artery’s inner lining) in postmenopausal women. The loss of estrogen has also been associated with an increase in abdominal fat — and belly fat can lead to obesity if left unchecked.
Meet Treena Orchard, author of Sticky, Sexy, Sad: Swipe Culture & the Darker Side of Dating Apps
I’m a sex-positive feminist over 50 who believes in the magic of reading and writing to change the world and deepen the connection we have with ourselves. As a university professor in the School of Health Studies at Western University in London, Ontario (aka the “other London”), I inspire my students and colleagues to think critically, creatively, and courageously. Life’s short, take the path less travelled once in a while!
I’m in the midst of
Releasing my first memoir into the universe: Sticky, Sexy, Sad: Swipe Culture & the Darker Side of Dating Apps.
This scary and exhilarating moment represents a turning point in my career and my life as a woman laying myself — and more than a few men — bare. Writing has been a central piece in my transformative sobriety journey since 2012, and it’s something I’m deeply grateful for.Adjusting to singledom
A two-year relationship I was in has recently ended, which made me feel a bit embarrassed, especially as a sexuality researcher and writer. Um, aren’t you an expert? Sure, I’m an expert but I’m also a complex, vulnerable human trying to balance how much I give with what I deserve to receive. Intimacy is always a dance.
The best thing about my current age, 51
Being 51 is awesome because I’m prioritizing myself and because women 50+ are claiming cultural space in a big way. That’s no small feat in a society that tells us to be small and silent, and to put others first. I’m growing into who I am with humour, vulnerability, and a bit of grace; I love that, too.
The best thing I’ve done for myself in midlife
Staying sober and putting in the hard healing work personally and professionally. Life is a tough, beautiful ride and I want to be grounded and alive to all the stardust that it offers. To quote Fleetwood Mac: “Rock on Gold Dust woman.”
We’re in the midst of building the Founding Midster program into a membership program — one step at a time. To help build The Midst community and be featured in Meet a Midster, sign up to become a Founding Midster here on The Midst Substack. We’ll email you with more details. If you have questions, please email our new Head of Community, Tiffany Nieslanik: tiffany@the-midst.com.
Women in Menopause Are Getting Short Shrift
They could benefit from a diversity of hormones, empathy about their experience, and a frank approach to sexuality—all hallmarks of trans health care.
By Rachel E. Gross for The Atlantic
Rifle Paper Co x Target = so pretty
We’ve seen (and bought) Rifle Paper Co. tchotchkes at Target, but furniture? Nice expansion.
Rifle Paper Co. x Target Desk Chair, in various prints, $390
Rifle Paper Co. x Target Storage Bench, in various prints, $350
Hallelujah, Mercury’s almost direct! Not sure about you but this latest edition of Mercury Retrograde (April 1–25) has been a clunkfest for me. In the interim, here’s how to make peace with Mercury Retrograde. — Amy Cuevas Schroeder