Are you a highly sensitive woman going through perimenopause? In this episode of Compassionate Conversations, two HSP psychotherapists (who are themselves, navigating the menopausal transition), discuss the shortcomings of the medical system, the importance of healing past traumas and losses, developing agency, and the journey towards self-discovery and joy.
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Why can Perimenopause be so hard for Highly Sensitive Women?
Our Medical System Doesn’t Treat the Whole Person
The medical system often lacks adequate knowledge about a) the Highly Sensitive Personality and b) the profound and unsettling effects that perimenopause can have on a woman’s physical and mental health.
Unresolved Trauma
Trauma can resurface during perimenopause, impacting emotional well-being, and can be completely debilitating for a highly sensitive woman. For more on this:
Unprocessed Emotions
Unprocessed loss and grief can compound the challenges of perimenopause. The hormonal shifts experienced during perimenopause can bring feelings of low motivation and dark thoughts which often present as depression and/or anxiety.
HSPs tend to internalize their feelings and stuff them down-especially anger- instead of allowing them to come up and out and move through the system. By the time one hits menopause, there are often a lot of unprocessed emotions living in the body.
Here is a safe and effective way to release anger as a highly sensitive woman:
The Lack of Agency Over One’s Body
Having agency over one’s body (i.e., the ability to use your voice by asking for what you want and need and advocating for yourself) is crucial during this transformative phase. This can be particularly challenging for highly sensitive women who are quiet and introverted by nature, often have a trauma history. Many of my HSW clients tell me that they don’t feel comfortable asserting themselves. To add to that, they often believe that speaking up is unacceptable in a woman. Agency in health means taking control and advocating for oneself.
How you can gain more agency starting right now:
Highly Sensitive Women Tend to Lack Self-Compassion
Self-compassion is crucial for mental health and well-being. Women need to prioritize their own needs and self-care. Here are some tips to become more compassionate towards yourself:
