Navigating the Unexpected: Eating Disorders and Perimenopause

Perimenopause, the transitional phase leading up to menopause, can be a turbulent time for many women and the men in their lives wanting to support them. Alongside the more commonly discussed symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings, a less recognised challenge can arise: the re-emergence or even the first-time development of eating disorders. 

While often associated with adolescence, eating disorders can surface during midlife due to a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors.

This is where specialised support, like that offered by me as a Certified Menopause Coaching Specialist, a Clinical Hypnotherapist, and a Strategic Psychotherapist, becomes invaluable. Seeking support from your GP is also an imperative component to your care.

Let's explore why eating disorders can emerge during perimenopause and how you can receive the help women you deserve as you navigate this challenging chapter of life:

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Why Eating Disorders Re-emerge During Perimenopause

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1. Hormonal Shifts and Mood: Fluctuating estrogen levels during perimenopause can significantly impact mood, increasing anxiety and depression (Chedraui et al., 2013). These emotional shifts can trigger or exacerbate disordered eating patterns as women may turn to food for comfort or control.

2. Body Image and Aging: Perimenopause often brings changes in body composition, including weight gain and altered fat distribution. These changes can be particularly distressing in a society that equates youthfulness with thinness, as highlighted by Girls Gone Strong, a community dedicated to women's health and empowerment. A study by Mangweth-Matzek et al. (2017) confirms this, showing that body dissatisfaction is a strong predictor of eating disorder symptoms in perimenopausal women.

3. Life Transitions and Stress: This phase of life is often filled with significant transitions – children leaving home, aging parents needing care, career shifts, and personal re-evaluation. These changes can evoke feelings of stress, grief, and identity crisis, potentially leading to disordered eating as a coping mechanism.

4. Past Vulnerabilities Resurfacing: Women with a history of eating disorders are particularly vulnerable to relapse during perimenopause. Hormonal and psychological stressors can reactivate old patterns and negative thought processes surrounding food and body image. Seeking medical care is so important if this is you.

5. Sociocultural Pressures: The pressure to defy aging and maintain a youthful appearance is relentless. The media's portrayal of ageless beauty and the anti-aging industry can fuel body dissatisfaction and contribute to disordered eating behaviours in perimenopausal women, as discussed extensively in Girls Gone Strong resources on their website (I am certified with GGS as a Menopause Coaching Specialist).

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How I Can Help As Your Certified Menopause Coaching Specialist 

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As a Certified Menopause Coaching Specialist, I can provide crucial support during this time by:

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• Education and Empowerment: Providing evidence-based information about perimenopause, hormonal changes, Hormone Replace Therapy (HRT) and their impact on mood and body image.
• Lifestyle Adjustments: Helping you develop healthy coping mechanisms for managing stress, mood fluctuations, and body image concerns.
• Goal Setting and Accountability: Guiding women in setting realistic health and wellness goals and providing support and accountability to achieve them.
• Building a Positive Relationship with Food and Body: Promoting intuitive eating, body acceptance, and self-care practices.

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The Power of Clinical Hypnotherapy and Strategic Psychotherapy
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As a Clinical Hypnotherapist and Strategic Psychotherapist, I can offer specialised support by:

• Addressing Root Causes: Utilising hypnotherapy to access the subconscious mind and address the root causes of disordered eating patterns, such as past traumas, limiting beliefs, and negative emotions.
• Reprogramming the Subconscious: Employing hypnotic suggestions to reprogram the subconscious mind with positive affirmations about body image, self-worth, and healthy eating habits.
• Strategic Interventions: Using strategic psychotherapy techniques to help you identify and challenge negative thought patterns and develop more adaptive coping strategies.

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Scientific Evidence for Clinical Hypnotherapy:

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Research supports the efficacy of hypnotherapy for addressing eating disorders and related issues:

• A meta-analysis by Allison and Faith (1996) demonstrated that hypnosis significantly improved outcomes in the treatment of bulimia nervosa.
• Schoenberger et al. (2000) found that hypnotherapy combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy was effective in reducing binge eating and purging behaviors.
• Kirsch et al. (1995) showed that hypnosis can be helpful in reducing anxiety and improving self-esteem, both of which are crucial for overcoming eating disorders.

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Recognising the Signs

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It's important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of eating disorders, which may include:

• Preoccupation with food, weight, and body shape
• Restrictive eating, skipping meals, or rigid dieting
• Binge eating episodes
• Purging behaviours (self-induced vomiting, laxative misuse)
• Excessive exercise
• Distorted body image
• Mood swings, anxiety, and depression
• Social withdrawal and isolation

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Embracing a Holistic Approach to Healing

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If you're struggling with an eating disorder during perimenopause, remember that you're not alone. By seeking professional support from your medical provider such as your GP, and adding my support as a Certified Menopause Coaching Specialist, Clinical Hypnotherapist, and Strategic Psychotherapist, by cultivating self-compassion and prioritising your overall well-being, you can navigate the challenges of this life stage and reclaim a healthy relationship with your body and food.

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References:

• Allison, D. B., & Faith, M. S. (1996). Hypnosis as an adjunct to cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy for obesity: A meta-analytic reappraisal. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64(3), 513–516.   
• Chedraui, P., Pérez-López, F. R., Pérez-Roncero, G., Sansores, R. H., & Mezones-Holguín, E. (2013). Estrogen and progesterone receptors in the brain: Clinical implications for mood, mental state, and memory. Medicina Clínica (English Edition), 141(8), 352–358.
• Kirsch, I., Montgomery, G., & Sapirstein, G. (1995). Hypnosis as an adjunct to cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy: A meta-analysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 63(2), 214–220.   
• Mangweth-Matzek, B., Rupp, C. I., Wölfler, A., Biebl, W., & Kinzl, J. (2017). Eating disorder symptoms in peri- and postmenopausal women: Prevalence and associated factors. Maturitas, 96, 56–61.

Schoenberger, N. E., Kirsch, I., Gearan, P., Montgomery, G., & Pastyrnak, S. L. (2000). Hypnotic enhancement of a cognitive-behavioral treatment for bulimia nervosa. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 48(3), 304–316.