Menopausal? Bored of hot flashes? 🔥 Know someone who is?
Myself and a fellow Oxygen Advantage instructor are running a study....
Awareness around women’s health in general seems to be gaining more traction in recent years since women like Nieca Goldberg famously stated that ‘women are not small men’ in her 2002 book around healing heart disease in women. Alongside Louann Brizendines book The female brain in 2006 and more recently Maisie Hills book Period Power in 2018.
As positive as the attention on women’s health is for the female population as a whole, the focus seems to be mostly on menstruating women. Almost bypassing around half the population of females.
The word menopause seems to bring a great deal of confusion and feelings of dread to both men and women alike. Particularly since 2002 when a study with the WHI (women’s health initiative) and the WHIMS (women’s health initiative memory studies) found that hormone therapy, starting at age 64 years or older, could slightly increase the risk of breast cancer, stroke and dementia.Â
With studies on menstruating women starting to take off more and more, menopausal women still seem to be waiting for answers how to cope with what can be quite a drastic period of transition for some women. Fleur, a qualified breath work instructor, noticed in a number of Facebook groups for menopausal women many were crying out for guidance and support with a variety of challenges both physically and mentally.Â
So, we thought we’d do some investigating following an interesting study in 2013, who’s findings suggested that paced breathing (at 5.5 - 6 breaths per minute) could reduce the amount of hot flushes experienced, a common symptom of the menopause.
Fleur and myself are both qualified in Patrick Mckeown’s, the worlds leading expert in the reeducation of breath, Oxygen Advantage technique exploring functional breathing methods for self-regulation and health optimisation.Â
How will we do it?
30-50 women who are currently in Peri or post menopausal stages of life who are generally in a good state of health.
Two qualified Oxygen Advantage instructors will teach the participants three breathing techniques via zoom to integrate on a daily basis for six weeks. Small breath holds, Breathe light and Cadence breathing.Â
Weekly check ins will take place for accountability as well as a Facebook group for all participants to share their experience and ask any questions.Â
Prior to the study participants will answer a questionnaire to give us an idea of their lifestyle, health and fitness levels, symptoms experienced and whether or not they receive hormone therapy (HRT)Â
We’ll be asking the participants to rate their level of satisfaction with their levels of sleep, energy levels, focus and stress regulation on a weekly basis on a scale of 1 to 10. 1 being the worst and 10 being the most satisfied. As well as jotting down a few words each morning on how they are feeling i.e any hot flashes, irritability or other symptoms.Â
Participants will track their BOLT score, to be taken first thing in the morning upon waking to record their CO2 tolerance.
The initial session to teach you the breathing exercises will be done from the comfort of your own home, as will all the other breath work we’d like you to integrate over the six weeks.Â
All we need is for you to commit to self improvement via integration of breath work for six weeks. We will be guiding you throughout and holding you accountable.Â
Are you ready to take control of your body and mind?
If you or one of your friends or family are struggling with peri or post menopausal symptoms, we’d love to hear from you. I charge £60 per hour for private breath work coaching, this is a great opportunity for a six week course for absolutely nothing! All in the name of science.
Please respond to this email to register your interest, the study will be taking place in early 2022, exact date TBC.
